Latest stage of the Local Development Plan is launched

Following the adoption of the Antrim and Newtownabbey Plan Strategy on 3 July 2025, the council has formally launched the commencement of next stage of the Local Development Plan Process – the draft Local Policies Plan.

This stage will provide the detail to the Plan Strategy – providing local site-specific proposals, zonings, environmental designationand local transportation routes.

This document is to be consistent with the Plan Strategy, ensuring it links into the Community Plan.

Council has also now published both a revised Planning Statement of Community Involvement and Local Development Plan Timetable.

During the launch event, updates were provided on public drop-in sessions to be hosted across the Borough enabling the public to engage with council officers regarding the documents and the upcoming Call for Sites exercise, targeted to run for a 12-week period between 24 November 2025 to 19 February 2026.

Speaking at the launch event, Chairperson of the Antrim and Newtownabbey Planning Committee Councillor Rosie Kinnear said: “Our Plan Strategy is very ambitious in nature and sets out how the Council considers our Borough will grow and develop up to 2030.

“The Local Policies Plan will provide further certainty through establishing development zonings, associated key site requirements and other site-specific proposals required to deliver the Plan Vision, Strategic Objectives and Spatial Growth Strategy in the Plan Strategy as well as defining the limits for all our settlements.

“I am proud of what our Elected Members and Planning Team have achieved.

“This success is based on our shared commitment to ensure that Antrim and Newtownabbey has an efficient and effective planning process, that is fit for purpose, provides public confidence and reassurance and that promotes the positive and sustainable development of our Borough.”

Details of the documents and upcoming public events are available online via https://antrimandnewtownabbey

.gov.uk/residents/planning and in person at both Mossley Mill and Antrim Civic Centre.