The Planning (Control of Major-Accident Hazards) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000

Amendment to the Planning (Development Plans) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991

5.—(1) The Planning (Development Plans) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991(1) shall be amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).

(2) In regulation 2 (interpretation)—

(a)after the definition of “development plan” insert ““the Directive” means Council Directive 96/82/EC on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances;”;

(b)after paragraph (2) add—

(3) The expressions used in regulation 9A have the same meaning as in the Directive..

(3) In regulation 9 (additional matters to be contained in a development plan) after paragraph (b) add—

and

(c)such statement as the Department thinks appropriate with regard to the matters referred to in regulation 9A..

(4) After regulation 9 insert—

Regard to be had to certain matters

9A.  In formulating its policies in a development plan the Department shall have regard to—

(a)the objectives of preventing major accidents and limiting the consequence of such accidents; and

(b)the need;

(i)in the long term, to maintain appropriate distances between establishments and residential areas, areas of public use and areas of particular natural sensitivity or interest; and

(ii)in the case of existing establishments, for additional technical measures in accordance with Article 5 of the Directive so as not to increase the risks to people..