Applying for Planning Permission in Northern Ireland:

The Planning System provides society with a way of controlling how we use land, what we build and where we build it. The Department of The Environment prepares and adopts documents called development plans, consisting of maps and written policies, which show where and in what quantity various types of developments will be permitted. The Department also administer a development management system to make sure that proposed development conforms to the development plan, current planning policies and other "material" considerations. The development management system helps to balance our need for uses of land and buildings such as homes, offices, factories and schools with our wish to protect and improve the environment.Decisions on whether to allow proposals to build on land or change the use of buildings or land...

PPS21 – Planning Permission in Northern Ireland:

PPS-21 is a set of rules introduced by the Planning Service to create more opportunities for development sites within the countryside. PPS-21 is an amended set of rules to replace the old PPS-14. PPS21 sets out planning policies for all of NI with the exception of town/village boundaries.The aim of PPS21 is to manage & develop the countryside.

PPS21 supersedes all previous policies and previous greenbelts.It has been active now since 24th November 2008 as a final policy and has relaxed the restrictions on countryside development.

Who can apply for Planning Permission?                                                                                                                                                       

Basically anyone!!  Anyone who fits into one of the Planning categories stated in PPS21. PPS21 is not restricted to Agriculture.

What are the main categories of PPS21?                                                                                                                                                       

PPS-21 has brought in new rules to help development which can only be applied under the following categories:-

    CTY 2a- New Dwellings in Existing Clusters
    CTY 3 - Replacement Dwellings  
    CTY 4 - Building/Barn Conversions    
    CTY 8 - Infill Sites / Gap Sites 
    CTY 10 - Dwellings on Farms   
    CTY 11 - Farm Diversification    
    CTY 6 - Personal & Domestic Circumstances     
    CTY 7 - Dwellings for Non-Agricultural Business    
    CTY 9 - Residential Caravans & Mobile Homes    

What do I do now?
If you think you have a site, a building to replace or convert, or need advice, contact FmK now and we will discuss with you the options available.

We offer a free office or site consultations for all our clients to determine the viability of making Planning Applications.

At FmK we only take on viable applications and as a result have an impressive approval rate! See link at bottom of page for list of all our planning approvals

Home Extensions and Improvements:

FmK have a vast experience in both designing and building House Extensions across Northern Ireland. These can be small one room extensions, larger kitchen extension, or large multi room, 2-storey extensions.

We have also a lot of experience in completing Full Whole-House Refurbishments, focusing around our Eco home -Upgrade ethos. This is where we improve the entire energy performance of the dwelling as a whole.

In terms of Planning Permission NI ; you don’t require planning permission to extend or add to your house provided you meet a set of rules which came into operation on 6 April 2011.

These rules set out what is allowed and not allowed without planning permission and applies mostly to the dimensions of the proposed extension, its position on the main house and its proximity to your site boundaries.

Contact FmK to chat through your options for extending your home.

Planning Permission NI for Farm Buildings:

You do not always need planning permission to carry out development on a farm holding. Certain development on a farm holding is deemed to be permitted development. This includes works for the erection, extension or alteration of a building which are reasonably necessary for the purposes of agriculture. However the development must comply with certain requirements set out in the relevant legislation. Generally speaking planning permission is not required for changes to the inside of buildings, or for small alterations to the outside

Here at FmK we have a dedicated Agri-specialist to deal with all Agri-Projects. We have both personal and professional experience in all things Agri; whether it’s just to Masterplan out your Farmyard or Farm Buildings, or whether you need Full Detailed Design, Planning Permission & Structural Design for your shed, we are here to help.

We have many past projects dealing with Farm-Buildings across Northern Ireland, ranging from Shed Extension’s to New “First” Farm Sheds.

In terms of Planning Permission ni ;

You do not always need planning permission to carry out development on a farm holding.

Certain development on a farm holding is deemed to be permitted development. This includes works for the erection, extension or alteration of a building which are reasonably necessary for the purposes of agriculture.

However, the development must comply with certain requirements set out in the relevant legislation. Planning Permission is NOT required, providing you meet the required conditions, some examples of these are;

• Must be another Existing Farm Building within 75m of New Building
• Must be min 75m away from other Dwellings
• New Building is less than 500m2 external area
• Be an Active Farm Business for minimum of 6 Years

NB: The very First Farm Shed on any Farm/Field WILL require Planning Permission regardless of the above points   

If you are thinking of any Agri-related projects of your own, contact Ronan McKee at FmK to discuss your next steps.