Regionally Significant Developments
The special procedures for deciding planning applications for regionally significant developments are set out in Section 26 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. They are decided by the Department rather than the local Council. Applications falling within this category are set out in the Planning (Development Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.
Called in Applications
The Department may also require applications for planning permission made to local councils to be referred to it instead of being decided by the Council. The procedures for deciding these 'called in' applications are set out in Section 29 of the Planning Act.
The Commission's role in Section 26 and 29 cases
Having considered the application, including representations from the public, the Department may decide to request the Commission to hold a public local inquiry.
Alternatively, the Department may serve a notice on the applicant indicating the decision which it proposes to make (referred to as a Notice of Opinion). The applicant may request a hearing before the Commission within the period specified in the Notice of Opinion.
In either case, the Commission's task is to conduct a public local inquiry or hearing and prepare a report with recommendations to the Department. The Department must consider the Commission's report before making its decision.
Procedures for Public Local Inquiries and Hearings under Section 26 and 29
The Commission's procedures for public local inquiries and hearings into the above applications can be viewed on the Procedural Guides page.
Recent Inquiry and Hearing Requests
To view a list current requests for inquiries and hearings, please visit the Digest.
Commission Reports for Regionally Significant Developments
The Commission’s report on a public local inquiry or hearing is not normally available to the public until after the Department has issued its decision. Requests for such reports should be made to the Department and not to the Commission. To view a list of cases on which the Commission has reported to the Department within the last 12 months, please visit the Digest.
Other Inquiries and Hearings
The Planning Appeals Commission also has a wide range of other hear-and-report functions. A full list is available on the Our Functions page.
Our hear-and-report functions include:-
- holding public local inquiries into development schemes;
- conducting hearings in respect of determinations under the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations; and
- holding public local inquiries at the request of the Department of the Environment in relation to any of its planning functions.
The Commission’s role in Hear-and-Report Cases
The Commission does not make the final decision on hear-and-report cases but reports to the Department concerned.
Procedures for Public Local Inquiries and Hearings
The Commission’s procedures for public local inquiries into development schemes and hearings into EIA determinations can be viewed on the Procedural Guides page.
Recent Inquiry and Hearing Requests
To view a list requests for inquiries and hearings received, please visit the Digest.
Commission Reports
Reports on public local inquiries and hearings are not normally available to the public until after the Department has issued its decision. Requests for such reports should be made to the Department and not to the Commission. A list of cases on which the Commission has reported to the Department within the past 12 months can be viewed in the Digest.