AQW 30778/22-27


Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford


Tabled Date: 10/09/2025
Answered On Date: 23/09/2025
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to provide an update on the progress made to completing Local Development Plans for local councils.


Answer:
ANBC
ANDBC
ABC
BCC
CCGBC
DCSDC
FODC
LCCC
MEABC
MUDC
NMDDC
Statement of Community Involvement
Timetable
Preferred Options Paper (POP)
Plan Strategy (PS) published
Submitted to Dept. to cause IE
IE caused
Independent Examination (PS)
PAC Report with Dept.
Binding Direction Issued to
Council
Adoption of PS
Local Policies Plan (LPP) published
Submitted to Dept. to cause IE
IE caused
Independent Examination (LPP)
PAC Report with Dept.
Binding Direction Issued to
Council
Adoption of LPP
Preparatory Stage
Draft Plan Strategy Stage
Local Policies Plan Stage
All councils are currently preparing new Local Development Plans (LDPs) to provide the spatial framework for development for their areas over a 15-year period. Six councils have adopted their Plan Strategies (PS) to date which is the first stage of the LDP, and they continue to work towards their draft Local Policies Plan (dLPP) preparation which is the second stage of the LDP process.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council recently published its draft PS for consultation which closes on 22 September 2025, and Ards and North Down Borough Council propose to launch their consultation of their draft PS 18 September 2025.
Two councils are continuing with preparation of their draft Plan Strategies, with publication dates anticipated within the next year, as indicated in their Council timetables. My officials continue to engage and support those councils as they work towards their dPS and dLPP publication. Council LDP progress is set out below.