BCC Announce Consultation On Future Development Of Belfast City

Belfast City Council (BCC) has called on those who live and work in the city to "have their say in how it will develop in the future".

The council has published a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) for its Local Development Plan (LDP), which in turn will help to shape the city and its growth. It also has published its timetable for the preparation and adoption of the Plan.

The SCI sets out how, and when, stakeholders and other interested parties will be consulted and involved in the preparation of the LDP, as well as in the management of future developments in the city.

Announcing the consultation, Chair of the Council's Planning Committee, Councillor Peter Johnston, said: "On 1 April 2015, Belfast City Council became the planning authority and is responsible for preparing the new Local Development Plan and making decisions on planning applications.

"The LDP will provide a 15 year framework that will guide future growth and development and form the basis of planning decisions in the future. It will set out how land is to be used in the city. 

"The LDP sets out the policies and proposals for the use, development and protection of land in Belfast. For example, we have a requirement to identify an adequate supply of housing land; without an LDP, Belfast is susceptible to speculative development proposals that may not deliver the aims of the council and wider needs of the city. 

"We want to ensure that there are the right types of developments in the right locations that will deliver the aims of the council and wider needs of the city."

Both the SCI and the timetable for the LDP can be viewed at the Planning Service offices at 4-10 Linenhall Street during normal office hours, or on the Council website, at belfastcity.gov.uk. Copies also can be obtained by emailing planning@belfastcity.gov.uk or telephoning 0300 200 7830.