Northern Ireland environment minister Edwin Poots has published new planning policies to help safeguard areas of established residential character from town cramming.
Poots said the policies, an addendum to PPS 7, were designed “to ensure greater control over the density and pattern of development in established residential areas, and to ensure greater control over conversions to flats and apartments.
“This is not however a blanket ban on redevelopment, flat conversion, infilling or development of gardens. It is about getting the right developments in the right places. It is aimed at providing good quality homes in keeping with the overall character of the existing area.
“It will also help reduce flash flooding in urban areas by encouraging greater use of permeable paving within new residential developments.”
In a separate but related move, Poots has also announced his intention to review planning policy for flood risk. Existing policy is contained in PPS 15 which was produced in 2006.
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