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Regional Development Strategy

Shaping our Future

Shaping Our Future, is a Regional Development Strategy which offers a strategic and long-term perspective on the future development of Northern Ireland up to the year 2025.  It has been prepared in close consultation with the community and seeks to define an agreed vision for the Region and to frame an agenda which will lead to its achievement.

In June 2008 the Department for Regional Development, following public consultation, published the first five year review of the Regional Development Strategy.

The publication consists of two documents.  The adjustments to the Strategy are detailed in the document entitled 'Adjustments to the Regional Development Strategy (RDS) – 2025' PDF Document Opens in a new window (3MB).

The Adjustments Document is now part of the RDS and should be read in conjunction with the existing Strategy document. A number of important policy issues on economic development, health and the environment, including climate change, have been taken into account as part of this review. These have been incorporated into the document in the form of revisions to relevant strategic planning guidance and supporting actions.

The second is a supporting document entitled ‘First 5-Year Review Report of the Process, Key Findings and Planned Actions’ PDF Document Opens in a new window (2MB) which sets out the procedure followed in the Review, outcome of the consultation exercise, relevant supporting information and projects as a lead-in to the 2010 Review.

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10 YEAR REVIEW OF THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

The Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy, MP MLA, made an announcement in the Northern Ireland Assembly on 9 June 2008 of his intention to commence a review of the Regional Development Strategy.

In his statement the Minister commented ‘there is now an opportunity to learn from past experience and prepare a new Regional Development Strategy which is fit for purpose, up to date, and which takes account of recent emerging trends affecting how we plan for the future’.

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INFORMATION GATHERING

It is now a widely held view that strategy development needs to be guided by evidence about all the activities which impact upon or are likely to be affected by that strategy.  The Regional Development Strategy has a strong influence over where development is placed or should be placed in future to have maximum economic and social benefit.  Feedback from stakeholders during the 5 year Review of the RDS pointed to the need for more attention to development for economic prosperity, and how we unlock the potential of the main towns throughout the region.  Two pieces of research were commissioned to inform debate: a Business Land Needs Study and a Key Settlements Study.

*New* - Sub-Regional Stakeholder Workshop Feedback

Further detail available on the Information Gathering Section.

*New* The Strategic Environmental Assessment Baseline Report for the Regional Development Strategy.

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RATHLIN ISLAND POLICY

Conor Murphy, Minister for Regional Development announced on 2 March 2010 that the Executive had introduced a policy for Rathlin Island.

The Minister said: “Since coming into office, I have been committed to improving island life for the people of Rathlin and have championed the development of an Executive Policy for our only inhabited off shore island.

“It is only right that islanders receive access to public services that the rest of us often take for granted and the Executives policy will seek to improve the conditions of all people on the island while also protecting its natural and cultural heritage."

More information is available in the Rathlin IslandOpens in a new window section of the website.

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Department of the Environment assumes responsibility for planning policy statements

On 25 October 2007 Mr Justice Gillen issued his final judgement on the judicial review of draft Planning Policy Statement 14.  While he found that DRD did not have authority to make this planning policy statement he did not quash the draft policy.

Following this judgement the Minister of the Environment Arlene Foster MLA made a Statement to the Assembly indicating that her Department, with the agreement of the Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy MP, MLA, would assume responsibility for rural planning policy.  

Agreement has also been reached between Ministers that all planning policy statements would transfer to the Department of the Environment.  This has now taken place.

Information