Development blueprint is discussed in private debate

Development blueprint is discussed in private debate

2 April 2025

LOCAL politicians met in secret on Monday night to discuss a blueprint detailing the future of residential, commercial and industrial development across the district.

All of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s 41 councillors were invited to meet behind-closed-doors to discuss a draft of a new local development plan which shapes the future growth of the district over the next 15 years.

When formally adopted, the detailed document will replace the Ards and Down Area Plan.

A council spokeswoman confirmed there was no media or public access to Monday night’s meeting which was held in closed session due to requirements under the Local Government Act.

However, she confirmed the draft plan strategy will be made available for public consultation, after the matter has been considered by a committee and ratified by the full council.

The local authority — which is in charge of the district’s planning services — is responsible for the preparation of a development plan which is a new area plan, pinpointing especially where new homes can be built.

The new plan is designed to provide a 15 year framework to support economic and social needs in the district, in line with regional strategies and policies, while providing the delivery of sustainable development. 

In addition, the document will spell out to the public, statutory authorities, developers and other interested bodies the policy framework and land use proposals that will guide development decisions.

Most significantly, the new area plan will be the primary consideration in the determination of planning applications for the development or use of land in the district.

The blueprint has been prepared within the context of the council’s corporate and community plans and provide a vision of how places should change and what they will be like in the future.

As part of the process to design the area plan, a “preferred options paper” is to be compiled containing a series of options for dealing with key issues as well as the council’s justification for its proposed approach.

The paper also indicates the local authority’s preferred options for growth and development.