Northern Ireland has had its own planning system for decades. Since April 2015, most planning decisions have been made by its 11 councils, under the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. Here is how it differs from the rest of the UK.
Who decides
Your application goes to one of the 11 councils. Applications for development of regional significance, which matter to all or a large part of Northern Ireland, go to the Department for Infrastructure instead (section 26). The Department can also call in other applications.
Regional policy is set by the Department in the Strategic Planning Policy Statement and the Regional Development Strategy, alongside each council's local development plan.
Permission lasts 5 years
Planning permission in Northern Ireland must be started within 5 years of the grant, unless the council sets a different period (section 61). In England and Scotland it is 3.
For outline permission, reserved matters must be applied for within 3 years, and work must start by the later of 5 years from the outline grant or 2 years from the final reserved matters approval (section 62).
Permitted development rules are Northern Ireland's own
Northern Ireland uses the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015. Its limits for extensions, outbuildings, solar panels and other work differ from England's. Check the Northern Ireland rules before relying on a guide written for England, or ask the council for a certificate of lawfulness.
Appeals go to the Planning Appeals Commission
If your application is refused, or granted with conditions you disagree with, you can appeal to the Planning Appeals Commission. You must appeal within 4 months of the decision (section 58).
Regionally significant projects
The largest schemes in Northern Ireland, such as major energy projects, are decided by the Department for Infrastructure rather than the council. Anyone can comment while the application is being considered.
See every regionally significant project in play, with its stage, on our national infrastructure map for Northern Ireland.
Search planning applications in Northern Ireland
Planning Signal covers all 11 councils. Our records for Northern Ireland are about as complete as for England: close to nine in ten of the applications councils publish. Browse a council:
- Belfast
- Antrim and Newtownabbey
- Ards and North Down
- Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
- Causeway Coast and Glens
- Derry City and Strabane
- Fermanagh and Omagh
- Lisburn and Castlereagh
- Mid and East Antrim
- Mid Ulster
- Newry, Mourne and Down
For how Northern Ireland compares with the rest of the UK, see planning in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, or read our guides to planning permission in Wales and Scotland.
Frequently asked questions
How long does planning permission last in Northern Ireland?
5 years from the grant, unless the decision notice sets a different period.
Who decides planning applications in Northern Ireland?
The 11 councils decide most applications. Regionally significant applications are decided by the Department for Infrastructure.
How long do I have to appeal?
4 months from the date of the decision, to the Planning Appeals Commission.
Are permitted development rights the same as in England?
No. Northern Ireland has its own order, the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015, with different limits.