Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has published its Local Development Plan Preferred Options Paper. The Preferred Options Paper represents the Council’s formal commencement of work on the preparation of the Local Development Plan for the district.  

The Preferred Options Paper is a consultation paper designed to stimulate debate and encourage feedback on key issues of strategic significance which are likely to influence the direction of the Council’s new Local Development Plan. The Preferred Options Paper outlines the vision and strategic objectives of the Plan along with a set of key issues and associated options for addressing them.

Speaking at the launch event, Newry, Mourne and Down District Councillor Chairperson, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew commented on the publication, “The planning system plays an important role in shaping the environment around us. This Local Development Plan is our opportunity to set our own spatial strategy, planning policies and priorities to meet the development needs of the Newry, Mourne and Down district.”

Chair of the Planning Committee and Local Development Plan Steering Group, Councillor Garth Craig said, “For many people planning is something they only get involved in when a development directly affects them, this can sometimes be too late to really influence the process. I would encourage the public, our communities and all stakeholders who have an interest in the future development of our district to get involved in the Local Development Plan process from the outset. Together, we can make a real difference in shaping the future of our District.”

The Preferred Options Paper document can be viewed below and associated documents will be available for download from the Council website at www.newrymournedown.org. The documents are also available to view during normal office hours at the Council’s offices in Monaghan Row, Newry and the Downshire Civic Centre, Downpatrick.

The consultation period for the Preferred Options Paper will run for a period of 12 weeks from 1 June to 24 August 2018. All responses must be in writing and received by 5.00pm on the 24 August 2018. Responses can be submitted by e-mail to ldp@nmandd.org or by post to LDP: Preferred Options Paper, Development Plan Team, Council Offices, Downshire Civic Centre, Downshire Estate, Ardglass Rd, Downpatrick BT30 6GQ.