Planning Application Validation Checklist
Why are we consulting?
On 1st October 2024, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) made legislation which enables a council to publish a Planning Application Validation Checklist. This legislation can be viewed here: Planning (General Development Procedure) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024. The Planning Application Validation Checklist is one of the measures which is aimed at creating a more efficient, effective, and transparent planning system.
What is a Planning Application Validation Checklist?
The Planning Application Validation Checklist sets out the information, plans or evidence, which must be submitted with your planning application so that it can be registered as ‘valid’ and considered by the Planning Service.
Through the new legislation, the basic level of information that must be included with a planning application will increase. Whenever a planning application becomes ‘valid’ the timeframe for processing the application begins.
Belfast City Council Planning Service have had a non-mandatory ‘Application Checklist’ in place since 2018. The draft Planning Application Validation Checklist is based on this and the learning we have gained from its operation.
Who are we consulting, where and how?
Belfast City Council’s Planning Service are asking for your views on its draft Planning Application Validation Checklist. Below is a link to our online survey, it should take about 15-20 minutes of your time to complete We will also be facilitating a consultation event with key stakeholders and organisations.
When will the Validation Checklists be introduced?
The legislation comes into operation from 1st April 2025. This gives Northern Ireland councils time to prepare and consult on their proposed Validation Checklist ahead of this date. The consultation on the draft Planning Application Validation Checklist will run for 10 weeks from 3rd December 2024 until 10th February 2025
What happens next?
Once the consultation is closed, the comments received will be considered in terms of any potential amendments to the draft Planning Application Validation Checklist. The final version of the Planning Application Validation Checklist will be subject to Council approval.