CMcILvar Planning Consultants Northern Ireland

28

Sep, 2015

DURKAN PRODUCES ’PLANNING BLUE PRINT’ TO GUIDE FUTURE PLANNING DECISIONS

By: Carol McIlvar | Tags: | Comments: 0

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today published the Strategic Planning Policy Statement for Northern Ireland (SPPS)~ Monday, 28 September 2015 In essence, this is ‘the go to guide’ for everyone involved in the local planning system. The SPPS reduces 20 separate planning policy statements to one. This provides the policy on key issues such as town centres and retail development, building in the countryside, creating and enhancing shared space, tourism, telecommunications and housing. Significantly, it also sets in black and white, for the first time, as policy, no to unconventional […]

13

Apr, 2015

European Capital Grants – Are you a food processor in N.I.? 40% funding towards new premises, equipment

By: Carol McIlvar | Tags: | Comments: 0

Agri-food Processing Investment (AfPIS) Scheme RDP 2014 – 2020. This new scheme will provide approx 40% funding towards capital investment in the Agri food sector i.e. purchasing new equipment and/or upgrading premises. It is expected that the new scheme will open summer/autumn 2015. Now is the time to ensure that all planning related issues are investigated with work starting on preparing applications for new builds, relocation, extensions etc for approval. Over the past number of years we at C. McIlvar Ltd have successfully represented various schemes through planning. We have […]

31

Mar, 2015

Current Capital Grants Available – N.I. Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)

By: Carol McIlvar | Tags: | Comments: 0

At C. McIlvar Ltd we have years experience delivering a diverse range of projects which have been funded through a number of funding programmes. Consequently we are familiar with the criteria to optimise successful applications to a wide variety of schemes. Example of a current government incentive/capital grant scheme is provided below. Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a government environmental programme that provides financial incentives to increase the uptake of renewable heat. It provides subsidies to eligible, businesses and domestic renewable heat generators […]

26

Mar, 2015

Local Government & Planning Reform Back to basics – What are the benefits?? March 2015

By: admin | Tags: Planning NI, Planning reform, Planning reform NI | Comments: 0

The reform of local government will see the reduction of 26 councils to 11. The 11 new councils will take over on 1 April 2015. Council Responsibilities and functions A number of key functions such as planning, urban regeneration, local economic development and local tourism, will be transferred to the new ‘super councils’ allowing them to shape their areas and communities. Planning • Councils are to be given more power at a local level, as they will lead and facilitate a community planning process. This will enable […]

Newry man fined £30,000 for planning offence

By: Carol McIlvar | Tags: | Comments: 0

A Newry man was fined £30,000 plus £805 in legal costs and £15 court costs at Newry Magistrates’ Court on Monday 16 February 2015. Mr Francis McGuiness of Newtown Road, Cloughoge, Newry was found guilty for non compliance with a DOE Planning Enforcement Notice. The enforcement notice required the appellant to demolish the building at the rear of 43 Newtown Road, Cloughoge, Newry and area of concrete hard standing in question, remove resulting rubble and reinstate the area by covering in topsoil and sew in grass seed.1. Mr McGuiness was prosecuted under Article […]

Transfer of planning functions to Councils on 1st April 2015

By: Carol McIlvar | Tags: | Comments: 0

New Local Planning Offices – Update To prepare for the transfer of planning functions to the 11 new councils on 1 April 2015, a number of new local planning offices will open in advance of transfer. From 19 January 2015 planning services for the new Lisburn and Castlereagh council area will be delivered from: Local Area Planning Office Island Civic Centre Lagan Valley Island The Island Lisburn BT27 4RL From 26 January 2015 planning services for the new Antrim and Newtownabbey council area will be delivered from: Local Area Planning Office Mossley Mill Carnmoney Road North Newtownabbey BT36 […]

Derry City thriving and fast becoming the new Belfast

By: Carol McIlvar | Tags: | Comments: 0

Planning approval for £10million hotel in Derry at Tillie and Henderson site Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced planning permission for a new £10 million hotel and retail development in Derry. The 139 bedroom hotel will be developed on the former Tillie and Henderson site at Abercorn Road, Tillie’s Brae and Foyle Road, Derry. Mark H Durkan said: “This is great news for Derry. With the recent announcement by Lonely Planet that Northern Ireland is in the top 10 European travel destinations, this very significant hotel in the heart of the […]

3

Nov, 2014

‘Spooktacular’ fun at Sperrin Fun & Heritage Farm

By: Carol McIlvar | Tags: | Comments: 0

Within only a few months from opening Sperrin Fun & Heritage Farm is proving to be a roaring success story. Planning permission was achieved by C. McILvar in November 2012 for conversion and renovation of 3 disused farm buildings and yard for use as a Fun Farm Activity Centre to be run in conjunction with applicant’s active farm holding. The applicant applied for a farm diversification grant and was successful in being awarded substantial funding towards the construction works. The fun farm and activity centre was opened to […]

20

Oct, 2014

DOE Planning Headquarters relocating to Derry bringing 25 jobs to growing city

By: Carol McIlvar | Tags: | Comments: 0

Ebrington, first designated for military use during the Siege of Derry in 1689, will be the new regional HQ for Environment Minister Mark H Durkan. The Minister, along with DOE Planning Chief Fiona McCandless, has now relocated to Ebrington, Derry City. The new regional HQ will accommodate 25 people.Commenting on the significance of the move Mark H Durkan said: “I am delighted that today sees the opening of a new regional DOE HQ in Derry. I will have a base here along with my support team and will be joined in these […]

30

Sep, 2014

enforcement notices – serious and expensive if ignored

By: Carol McIlvar | Tags: | Comments: 0

Lisbellaw man jailed for six months for non payment of fines A Co. Fermanagh man was jailed at Enniskillen Magistrates’ Court today for non payment of four fines which related to the non compliance with a DOE Planning Enforcement Notice. Mr Adrian John Orr, Derryclawan Road, Derryclawan, Lisbellaw was sentenced to six months imprisonment for failing to comply with the Notice which sought the demolition of an unauthorised dwelling at Derryclawan, Lisbellaw.The fines imposed upon Mr Orr totalled £76,000 and related to the non compliance of an enforcement notice which […]