Explanatory Memorandum

Planning Amendment (Northern Ireland) Order 2003

2003 No. 430

Commentary on Articles

Control over development

Article 20 ‑ Power of Department to decline to determine applications

To prevent developers using "repeat applications" as a tactic, this Article gives the Department power to decline to determine a planning application if, within the preceding 2 years, it had refused an application designated under Article 31 of the Planning (NI) Order 1991, or the Planning Appeals Commission has dismissed an appeal for a similar proposal, and there has been no material change in circumstances.