THE next phase of the process to produce the Local Development Plan to inform all Planning decisions across Derry City and Strabane District launches this week.
A public consultation has now opened and runs until April 30th, inviting the submission of counter representations to responses received during the previous public consultation on the draft Plan Strategy.
The LDP draft Plan Strategy was published in December 2019 followed by a formal eight-week public consultation period.
The representations received regarding the Strategy and associated Sustainability Appraisal can now be viewed on the Council website.
Head of Planning with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Maura Fox, explained more about the process. “The (LDP) Plan Strategy sets out the proposed Local Development Plan vision, its objectives, as well as the proposed Growth Strategy and the Hierarchy of Settlements for the District.
“The LDP is huge in its scope, addressing all issues of Planning, guiding land use and setting out the policies and proposals for the use, development and protection of our settlements and countryside.
“The counter-representation period is an opportunity for interested parties to consider potential changes proposed by representations to the draft Plan Strategy and allow comments to be made on those representations.
“A counter-representation may be made regarding an existing representation and all feedback is welcome. We are delighted at the level of public engagement to date, ensuring the final Plan reflects the expectations and expertise of a wide range of industry professionals and the wider public.”
Once the eight-week period for the submission of counter representations has closed on April 30, the Council will collate and analyse all representations and counter representations received during the respective consultation periods and will publish an LDP draft Plan Strategy Representations Report in due course.
When the Council is satisfied that the draft Plan Strategy is ready for Independent Examination, all relevant documents, including representations and counter representations and consideration of these will be forwarded to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) for its assessment of ‘soundness’.
Anyone considering submitting a counter-representation is advised to read DfI’s guidance on soundness in Development Plan Practice Note (DPPN) 06 (See https://www.planningni.gov.uk/index/advice/practice-notes/common-newpage-9. htm)
Also the PAC’s guidance entitled ‘Procedures for Independent Examination of Local Development Plans’ available on their website
www. pacni.gov.uk or https://www.pacni.gov.uk/sites/pacni/files/media-files/LDPexam%20-%20May%202017.pdf
The Representations are available to view at the Council’s main offices in Derry and in Strabane, as well as online at the Council’s website: www.DerryStrabane.com/LDP
Counter Representations can be made using the response form (available online or at the Council offices).
Completed forms must be received by the 30th April 2020, to the Council’s Planning Department at 98 Strand Road, Derry or by e-mail to : [email protected]
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