ONE of the north's cities likely to be impacted most by Brexit is seeking views on how it should shape its future planning policy.
Newry, Mourne & Down District Council, which land-borders the Republic and therefore the EU, wants businesses and the public to help it identify key planning issues of strategic significance that are likely to influence development within the district up to 2030.
Over the next 12 weeks (until August 24), it is seeking responses on planning issues of strategic significance which are likely to influence the direction of the new Local Development Plan.
"The planning system directly affects the environment we live in, where we live, work, shop and spend our leisure time," the council says in its paper.
"Planning decisions determine where new homes, offices, shops and leisure facilities are located and what happens to our countryside, open spaces, historic and natural environment. In doing so it influences our quality of life and general wellbeing.
"Planning has to balance competing land uses, shaping places by setting out the vision for how communities change. For many people planning is something they only get involved with when a development directly affects them, this can sometimes be too late to really influence the process.
"So by getting involved in the early stages of plan development and local planning policy formulation, you can help shape the way our environment
looks and works."
The Council says it is committed to ensuring that engagement in the planning system is meaningful, inclusive and fit-for-purpose, and that all its citizens share a sense of effective participation in the decision-making process.
"We want to ensure that everyone has an early and informed opportunity to express their views on the development of the district and have them considered before decisions are made," said Garth Craig, chair of the Planning Committee and Local Development Plan Steering Group.
“Together we can make a real difference in shaping the future of our district, and I would encourage the public, our communities and all stakeholders who have an interest in the future development to get involved in this process from the outset.”
Newry, Mourne & Down Council chair Roisin Mulgrew said: “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 our district.”
