Strategic planning policy statement (SPPS). Planning for sustainable development. Edition 2 - 2025

Department for Infrastructure, 2025
Strategic planning policy statement (SPPS). Planning for sustainable development. Edition 2 - 2025 Download document

Document Status

Current

Supplement

Sustainability, Environment, Development & Planning

Abstract

Sets out the Department’s policy on important planning matters across Northern Ireland. The provisions of the SPPS must be taken into account in the preparation of Local Development Plans, and are also material to all decisions on individual planning applications and appeals. Covers: the purpose of planning; furthering sustainable development, core planning principles, implementation of the planning process and subject policies.

History

Supersedes: Strategic planning policy statement for Northern Ireland (SPPS) - planning for sustainable development (DOENI, 2015).d by: Strategic planning policy statement (SPPS). Planning for sustainable development. Edition 2 - 2025 (DFI, 2025). Cancels: PPS 18: Renewable energy (DOENI, 2009). Will cancel the other Planning Policy Statements (various dates) and the remaining provisions of the Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland (DOENI, 1993) when all eleven councils have adopted a new Plan Strategy for the whole of their council area. See paragraphs 1.8-1.14 for details on transitional arrangements. First published: 11 December 2025.

Subjects

  • Planning and development
  • Planning control, Northern Ireland
  • Planning control
  • Strategic planning

Publisher History

The Department for Infrastructure (DFI) is one of nine Northern Ireland departments, responsible for: regional strategic planning and development policy; transport strategy and sustainable transport policy; public transport policy and performance; road safety and vehicle regulation policy; provision and maintenance of all public roads; river and sea defence maintenance and the construction of flood alleviation schemes; provision of flood maps and risk information; policy on water and sewerage services among others. Formerly Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department for Regional Development, Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland and Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, Planning Service.

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