The legislative basis for what constitutes a valid planning application is set out in The Planning (General Development Procedure) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 as amended.
Council’s Planning Department adopted an Enhanced Validation Checklist on 9th June 2025. The new procedures have been developed following public consultation.
The Validation Checklist will provide support and guidance to applicants about the level and type of information required to be submitted with a planning application. The requirements are intended to be proportionate to the nature and scale of the proposal.
The benefits of validation checklists are generally set out as follows:
• they set out the scope of information required at the outset to ensure a ‘fit for purpose’ submission;
• they enable the planning authority to have all the necessary information to determine the application.
• they minimise the need for further submission of additional information during the life of the application which avoids unnecessary delay in the determination of applications and reduces costs to councils through reduction in re-advertisements and re-neighbour notification.
• they provide applicants with certainty as to the level of information required and the likely overall investment needed prior to the application submission.
• they ensure that the appropriate information is provided with an application to assist interested parties, including consultees, in their consideration of development proposals.
Applicants and their agents should refer to the Checklist prior to submission of their planning application and consider what information should accompany their application and submit this at the outset. The information that should accompany a planning application can be discussed as part of a Pre-Application Discussion (PAD).
Part 1 of the Validation Checklist sets out the information required for all applications for full planning permission, outline planning permission and the approval of the associated reserved matters.
Part 2 sets out the additional supporting information likely to be required based on the nature, scale and location of the proposed development.
Full details of the new Validation Checklist is available on the Validation Checklist document
Invalid applications will be returned to the Applicant or agent within 10 working days.
It is important to note that for planning applications for the major categories of development, a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) 2015 must be submitted to the Council as least 12 weeks before submitting the planning application.
Planning applications, including plans, drawings, consultation responses, supporting information, and letters of representation will be uploaded onto the Planning Portal and available for public view via the Public Register
A weekly list of applications received will also be available to view and download from the Council website.
Therefore, elected members and members of the public will be able to see your personal information, such as your name and address. We can, if you specifically ask at the start of your letter, cover your signature, email address and phone number. However, your name and address have to be displayed.