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• Planning
• Arrange a building control inspection
• Building control inspection

Planning

If you’re a landowner and want to build a house, a factory, offices or other commercial premises, you must obtain planning permission from the Planning Service.

This agency is responsible for how rural and urban land is used across Northern Ireland. There are strict limitations on building new houses in the countryside. In towns and cities, new development is zoned, marking clearly where residential or commercial properties are permitted.

There are various planning application forms depending on the type of building you intend to build. A full planning application will need to be accompanied by a fee, an architect’s drawings and Ordnance Survey maps. An application for outline planning permission is quicker and easier to submit. You pay a reduced fee along with Ordnance Survey maps but an architect’s drawings aren’t required.

If you obtain outline planning permission you must proceed with a full application within two years, otherwise the permission is withdrawn.

The Planning Service can offer advice on applying for permission, lodging a complaint and commenting on applications.

If you want to make a planning application to build a house inBelfast, you should contact the divisional planning office. They can advise you about any development restrictions in your area. They can also send you a planning application pack with forms. You can download planning application forms from the Planning Service’s web site.

Find out more about making a planning application by contacting the Planning Service.