Northern Ireland Planning Service

Planning Policy Statements

Planning Policy Statements (PPS) contain policies on land-use and other planning matters, for example telecommunications or the built heritage, and apply to the whole of Northern Ireland.
They set out the main planning considerations that the Department takes into account in assessing proposals for the various forms of development and are relevant to the preparation of development plans.  They are also material to decisions on individual planning appeals.
The guiding principle that the Department observes in making decisions on planning applications is set out in PPS 1: General Principles.  This states that development should be permitted, having regard to the development plan and all other material considerations, unless it would cause demonstrable harm to interests of acknowledged importance.

Issued for Public Consultation

Published

PPS 5 (Draft): Retailing, Town Centres and Commercial Leisure Developments

PPS 24 (Draft): Economic Considerations