THE Preferred Options Paper Representation Report for the Local Development Plan for Derry and Strabane has now been completed following a widespread public consultation on planning for the local area.The paper sets out a series of preferred approaches to dealing with key planning issues, which will shape the final Local Development Plan for the City and District.
This LDP will establish policies and proposals for all future development across Derry and Strabane, guiding both land use and the development and protection of our settlements until 2032.
Council published the Preferred Options Paper (POP) on 31st May 2017, which marked the beginning of a 12-week public engagement campaign over summer 2017.
The POP provided the basis for consulting with the public and stakeholders on a series of options for dealing with major issues in the Plan area.
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Maolíosa McHugh, said the publication of the POP report was another important milestone in the LDP process.
“I am delighted that we have now progressed to this stage in the Local Development Plan.
“The LDP provides us with the opportunity to set our own planning policies in accordance with the real priorities of our local area.
“It supports the outcomes outlined in the recently published Strategic Growth Plan for Derry and Strabane, with a view to improving the social, economic and environmental well-being of everyone living and working in our City and District.
“I look forward to seeing work continue to progress on the LDP and what will be one of the most important strategies for the North West.”
The Interim POP Representation Report has been prepared to provide the public and all those who provided representations with a summary of the key issues raised in response to the Council’s LDP Preferred Options Paper.
Director of Environment and Regeneration with Council, Karen Phillips, explained the next stage in the process.
“Following this interim report and in line with our published Statement of Community Involvement, a final public Representations Report will be presented and published in due course, to advise how the Council has taken the representations into account in the preparation of the Derry City and Strabane District Local Development Plan,” she explained.
“The task in hand going forward will be for Council to agree and prioritise the issues raised and to facilitate those that best serve our needs in terms of our LDP, District Vision and Strategic Growth Plan.”
The draft Local Development Plan is on course for publication in early spring 2018, when it will be the subject of further public consultation.
It will be followed by the publication of the Local Policies Plan in 2020. To find out more about the work on the Local Development Plan to date go to www.derrystrabane.com/ldp
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