Magherafelt Area Plan 2015: Draft Plan - The Planning Service

planning applications for small unit housing within existing
urban areas.
The Department will require housing proposals to be designed
and implemented in accordance with prevailing regional
planning policies and with the relevant Plan Proposals,
including the key site requirements set out for zoned land.
The key site requirements set out the most important matters
which developers will need to address in bringing forward
proposals for specific sites. They focus on the main infrastructure
requirements and local design requirements.
Developers should however note that while the key site
requirements for the development of zoned sites and Housing
Land Use Policy Areas are set out in the Plan, the need for
certain supplementary infrastructural works and/or mitigation
measures necessary to facilitate the specific scale and form
of development proposed may only be identified at planning
application stage. An example may be as a result of an
Environmental Impact Assessment or a Transport Assessment.
Many development sites will require the improvement of
existing infrastructure and/or the provision of additional
supplementary infrastructural works to enable the development
to take place. The infrastructural works may include transport
infrastructure, water and sewerage or land drainage. It is
presently government policy that developers should bear
the cost of works required to facilitate their development
proposals. This policy applies to both public and private sector
developments. Where appropriate, planning agreements under
Article 40 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 may
be used to enable developers to proceed. Developers are urged
to liaise early in the preparation of their proposals with the
relevant Department, Agency or service provider.
Some development sites will require existing infrastructure,
such as major watermains and sewers, and designated
watercourses, to be safeguarded. This may include ensuring
that such infrastructure is not built over and that necessary
wayleave strips are retained to facilitate maintenance. It is
the responsibility of the developer to liaise with the relevant
agencies in this regard.
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