The planning system and development management
The planning system ensures built development is in the right place when new houses, shops, parks, community centres or factories are planned. Eleven local councils and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) are responsible for different types of planning applications.
The role of DfI Planning
DfI is responsible for:
- deciding regionally significant planning applications; those applications significant to all or most of Northern Ireland
- reviewing, monitoring and implementing the Regional Development Strategy (RDS) 2035
- setting regional planning policy
- making planning legislation
- oversight and guidance for councils, including the power to ‘call-in’ and make the decision on an application that was submitted to a council
- providing support to the local councils to monitor performance management and bring forward continuous improvement initiatives
- progressing workflow from the Reinvestment & Reform Initiative for Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast and St Lucia Barracks, Omagh
The role of councils
Each council is responsible in their area for:
- local development planning
- development management
- planning enforcement
Local development planning
Each council creates a plan which sets out how their council area should look in the future. They decide the type and scale of development they want to encourage and where to put new buildings or other development.
Development and management
They decide local and planning applications, by granting or refusing planning permission.
Planning enforcement
They investigate alleged breaches of planning control and decide any action to take.
Planning
Each council has a local planning office.
Development management
Councils make most decisions about planning proposals to build on land or change the use of buildings or land. When deciding an application for planning permission, the council refers to planning policy documents and planning guidance.
Planning permission
To get planning permission, you apply to:
- the relevant council’s planning office for local and major development
- the Department for Infrastructure (DFI) for regionally significant development
You must include enough detail for the council or DfI to see what effect the development could have on the area.
Planning decision
The council should make a decision about a planning application within eight weeks. It can take longer for large or complex applications.
Your local planning office can explain the planning timetable. If your application is not determined within eight weeks, you can appeal to the Planning Appeals Commission.
Permitted development
You can do certain minor works to your home that don't need planning permission. But in conservation areas, permitted development rights might be withdrawn or limited.
Before you start any building work , you should ask the local planning office about planning permission.
Go to "When not to apply" information on "Planning permission - when to apply" page.
You can visit the Planning NI website for more guidance on the development management process and to help you decide whether you need planning permission.