Developments within Groomsport
The Village Association wishes to facilitate everyone in making a meaningful contribution to the nature of improvements to the built environment in and around the village. To this end we have collated some relevant planning policy details as provided by the Planning Service Northern Ireland.
This extract is taken from PPS6
"1.4. The function of the planning system is to regulate the development and use of land in the public interest. It has to take account of the Government’s objective of promoting sustainable economic growth, and make provision for development to meet the needs of the community. Planning is also a key instrument for protecting and enhancing our environment and preserving our archaeological and built heritage.
Communication with the Planning Service
Anyone wishing to communicate with the Planning Service may find that relevant paragraphs from PPS 7 help to crystallise their thinking.
Planning Policy Statement 7:Quality Residential Environments.
This is a summary statement taken from PPS7 for your convenience.
Policy QD 1
Quality in New Residential Development Planning permission will only be granted for new residential development where it is demonstrated that the proposal will create a quality and sustainable residential environment. The design and layout of residential development should be based on an overall design concept that draws upon the positive aspects of the character and appearance of the surrounding area. In established residential areas proposals for housing development will not be permitted where they would result in unacceptable damage to the local character, environmental quality or residential amenity of these areas. In Conservation Areas and Areas of Townscape Character housing proposals will be required to maintain or enhance their distinctive character and appearance. In the primarily residential parts of these designated areas proposals involving intensification of site usage or site coverage will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances.
All proposals for residential development will be expected to conform to all of the following criteria:
(a)
the development respects the surrounding context and is appropriate to the character and topography of the site in terms of layout, scale, proportions, massing and appearance of buildings, structures and landscaped and hard surfaced areas;
(b)
features of the archaeological and built heritage, and landscape features are identified and, where appropriate, protected and integrated in a suitable manner into the overall design and layout of the development;
(c)
adequate provision is made for public and private open space and landscaped areas as an integral part of the development. Where appropriate, planted areas or discrete groups of trees will be required along site boundaries in order to soften the visual impact of the development and assist in its integration with the surrounding area;
(d)
adequate provision is made for necessary local neighbourhood facilities, to be provided by the developer as an integral part of the development;
(e)
a movement pattern is provided that supports walking and cycling, meets the needs of people whose mobility is impaired, respects existing public rights of way, provides adequate and convenient access to public transport and incorporates traffic calming measures;
(f)
adequate and appropriate provision is made for parking;
(g)
the design of the development draws upon the best local traditions of form, materials and detailing;
(h)
the design and layout will not create conflict with adjacent land uses and there is no unacceptable adverse effect on existing or proposed properties in terms of overlooking, loss of light, overshadowing, noise or other disturbance; and
(i)
the development is designed to deter crime and promote personal safety.
Any proposal for residential development which fails to produce an appropriate quality of design will not be permitted, even on land identified for residential use in a development plan.