Draft Plan Strategy Representations

Publication of representations and commencement of counter-representation period 

Ards and North Down Local Development Plan 2032 

In accordance with Regulation 17 of The Planning (Local Development Plan) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015, Ards and North Down Borough Council hereby gives notice of the availability of all representations received to its draft Plan Strategy within the 8-week (Friday 16 January - Monday 16 March) period referred to in regulation 16(2)(a).  

Availability of Representations 

The representations are published on this website and are available to view and download below from Friday 8 May 2026. 

A copy of these representations shall be available from Friday 8 May 2026 for public inspection between 9am and 5pm Monday to Thursday and between 9am and 4.30pm on Fridays at the Council offices in the following locations: 

• 2 Church Street, Newtownards, BT23 4AP; and  
• City Hall, The Castle, Bangor, BT20 4BT. 

Consultation period for counter representations  

In accordance with Regulation 18 of The Planning (Local Development Plan) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015, any person may make a representation about a site-specific policy representation (referred to as counter representations). Counter representations must not propose any further changes to the development plan document. 

Counter representations must be submitted within the 8-week statutory consultation period commencing on Friday 8 May 2026 and closing on Tuesday 7 July 2026 at 4.30pm.  Any counter representations received by the Council after the closing date on 7 July at 4.30pm will not be accepted. 

How to submit a counter representation 

Counter representations may be submitted:  

• Online: https://ards-northdown.govocal.com/en-GB/; 
• Email: planning@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk (please quote LDP DPS in the subject line). 
• Post: Local Development Plan Team, Ards and North Down Borough Council, 2 Church Street, Newtownards, BT23 4AP. 

Counter representations must be made in full and clearly state the reference of the representation to which it relates. Further information or clarification will not be sought unless requested by an independent examiner.  

Further guidance may be found within the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Development Plan Practice Notes (DPPNs) including DPPN 09 'Submission and Handling of Representations'.   

Development Plan Practice Note 9 Submission and Handling of Representations  

It is also recommended that you read the latest guidance from the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) available on its website: Planning Appeals Commission. 

What happens next?  

The Council will publish and make available for public inspection any counter representations received within the statutory consultation period. All representations (including counter representations) must be considered by the Council. Following this, the council will consider all the issues raised, the impact of any new information and the implications for the soundness of the Development Plan documents. 

Consideration will be given to whether there are any necessary changes and if so whether they should be a minor change, focused change or fundamental change. 

 Any changes will be made and consulted upon prior to the formal submission of the dPS to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) in advance of Independent Examination (IE).  

Further guidance may be found within the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Development Plan Practice Notes (DPPNs) including DPPN 10 'Submitting Development Plan Documents for Independent Examination'. 

DPPN10 Submitting Development Plan Documents for Independent Examination'.   

Representations and counter-representations will be considered at an IE conducted by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) or other independent body that will be appointed by DfI. The IE will determine whether the dPS satisfies statutory requirements and consider its 'soundness'.   

It should be noted that all forms of representation are public documents that must be published on the Council's website and made available for public inspection and Independent Examination. All responses will therefore be held on a database in accordance with the provisions of the UK GDPR. 

A copy of our LDP Privacy Notice is available to view here: Privacy Notice for LDP (PDF, 143 KB)(opens new window). 

Please note the register comprises 'duly made' representations.  These representations were submitted in the consultation period 16 January - 16 March 2026.

The choice by some to reuse an original submission form means that some have a cover with a 2025 date.

Representations