The Strategic Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1999

Title and commencement N.I.

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Strategic Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1999.

(2) This Order shall come into operation on the day appointed under Article 1(2) of the [1999 NI 1.] Departments (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 for the coming into operation of certain provisions of that Order.

Interpretation N.I.

2.—(1) The [1954 c. 33 (N.I.).] Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to Article 1 and the following provisions of this Order as it applies to a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(2) In this Order “the Department” means the Department for Regional Development.

(3) This Order shall be construed as one with the [1991 NI 11.] Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991.

Regional development strategy N.I.

3.—(1) The Department shall formulate, in consultation with other Northern Ireland departments, a regional development strategy for Northern Ireland, that is to say a strategy for the long-term development of Northern Ireland.

(2) Any act which—

(a) was done at any time before the coming into operation of this Order by the Department of the Environment under Article 3 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991; and

(b) could have been done under this Article had it been in operation at that time,

shall have effect as if done by the Department under this Article.

General powers of the Department N.I.

4.  The Department shall—

(a) provide policy guidance and advice in relation to its regional development strategy and the implementation thereof;

(b) draw up proposals for the implementation of that strategy;

Departments to have regard to regional development strategy N.I.

5.  In exercising any functions in relation to development in Northern Ireland—

(a) a Northern Ireland department; and

(b) a department of the Government of the United Kingdom;

shall have regard to the regional development strategy.

Power to undertake surveys and studies N.I.

6.—(1) The Department may undertake, or cause to be undertaken, such surveys or studies as it may consider necessary for the purposes of its functions under this Order, including surveys or studies relating to any of the following matters—

(a) the physical, social and economic characteristics of any area, including the purposes for which land is used;

(b) the size, composition and distribution of the population of an area;

(c) the communications, transport system and traffic of an area;

(d) any changes in relation to the foregoing matters and the effect which the changes are likely to have on the long-term development of Northern Ireland or any part thereof or the planning of that development.

(2) The Department may, for the purpose of the exercise of any of its functions under this Order—

(a) consult with such persons as it thinks fit; and

(b) where it considers it appropriate to do so, cause a public local inquiry to be held.

(3) Without prejudice to section 23 of the [1954 c. 33 (N.I.).] Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954, the Department may make rules regulating the procedure to be followed in connection with inquiries held by or on behalf of the Department under this Order.

Power to appoint advisory bodies or committees N.I.

7.  The Minister for Regional Development may appoint such advisory bodies or committees as he considers necessary to assist the Department in the exercise and performance of the functions conferred on the Department by this Order.

Consequential amendments, etc. N.I.

8.  Para. (1)—Amendments

(2) The Department may by order make such provision (including provision amending or repealing any statutory provision) as appears to it to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of giving effect to, or in consequence of, this Order.

(3) No order shall be made under paragraph (2) unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by resolution of the Assembly.