1.0 Introduction The purpose of an Independent Examination (IE) in respect of a Development Plan Document (DPD) is to determine whether it satisfies certain legislative requirements and whether it is sound. This document demonstrates how Council considers it has satisfied both of these requirements. Whilst it is not a legislative requirement to produce such a document, Development Plan Practice Note 6 highlights it is good practice to do so and will assist the IE. Where reference is made in this document to advertisements having been placed in local papers, this includes the Ballymena Guardian, Ballymena Times, Larne Times, Carrick Times and Newtownabbey Times.
2.0 LDP Regulations Requirements In terms of the legislative requirements, Part 2 of The Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 sets out the general requirements for local development plans and The Planning (Local Development Plan) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 set out the sequence and detailed requirements of each stage of the LDP preparation.
2.1 The Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, Part 2 Local Development Plans Section
Requirement
Comments
7(1)
A Council must prepare, and keep under review a timetable for the preparation and adoption of the Council’s Local Development Plan.
Council first published a LDP timetable in August 2016. The timetable was subsequently revised and updated in 2017, 2019 and again in 2020.
7(2)
The Council and the Department must attempt to agree the terms of the timetable.
Council consulted the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) with the original timetable and all subsequent revisions. Correspondence was received from DfI agreeing to the original timetable and all subsequent revisions.
Preparation of timetable
Plan Strategy 8(1)
A council must prepare a plan for its district (to be known as a plan strategy).
Council published its draft Plan Strategy in September 2019.
8(2)
A plan strategy must set out— (a) the council's objectives in relation to the development and use of land in its district; (b) its strategic policies for the implementation of those objectives; and (c) such other matters as may be prescribed. A plan strategy must be prepared in accordance with— (a) the timetable set out in section 7(1); (b) the council's statement of community involvement.
The draft Plan Strategy complies with these requirements within Section 4.0 containing the Vision and Strategic Objectives and Sections 5.0 to 11.0 containing Strategic Policies to help implement those Objectives.
8(4)
The draft Plan Strategy was prepared in accordance with the LDP timetable, which is outlined below under Tests of Soundness, 3.1 Procedural Tests, P1 (page 16). The draft Plan Strategy was also prepared in accordance with the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement; see Statement of Community Involvement Compliance report, see DPS-405.
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