Chapter 5 - The Spatial Development Strategy for Northern
Ireland
Introduction
Implementation of the long-term vision for Northern
Ireland set out in Chapter 3 requires, among many policy measures,
a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) to guide the physical
development of the Region to 2025. The SDS provides a framework
for strategic choices in relation to development and infrastructural
investment. It will also assist private sector investment
decisions. It provides for a degree of continuity with existing
policy, but sets new directions to achieve a more sustainable
pattern of development in the interests of future generations.
Also it sets priorities for the location of future investment.
The successful implementation of a balanced and integrated
SDS will contribute to the achievement of the wider aim of
creating an outward looking and progressive Region, and forming
a positive external image of Northern Ireland (C4).
 Meeting
the needs of the Region
The SDS will contribute to meeting a number of key regional
challenges emerging from the significant local, national and
international forces which will drive change over the next
25 years:
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Accommodate a population growth
of 105,000 persons by 2015, and about 150,000 by the
year 2025. Facilitate the provision of land and buildings
to accommodate 160,000 additional dwellings by 2015,
and approximately 250,000 dwellings by year 2025 to
meet housing need in the Region. Meet the needs of new
household formation with over 60% of households comprising
one & two persons. Facilitate the development of education,
health and commercial services, cultural and leisure
amenities, necessary to meet the needs of a growing
population.
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Facilitate the development needs
of economic growth and the creation of approximately
100,000 extra jobs to cater for the expanded population
expected by 2015. Contribute to the reduction of socio-economic
differentials within the Region, and tackling long-term
unemployment. Contribute to the improvement of accessibility
to employment and services within the Region.
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Promote a change in travel culture
and particularly manage the effects of a possible 100%
growth in the number of vehicles by 2025. Contribute
to the creation of a modern, sustainable, safe transportation
system for the Region meeting the travel needs of all
groups in society. Accommodate the growing volume of
freight moving to and from the regional gateways. Strengthen
the regional gateways to handle the increasing flow
of people and goods in and out of the Region.
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Accommodate future development
growth while protecting and caring for the environment.
Reduce the consumption of resources. Continue to maintain
or, where needed, to improve the quality of air, water
and land resources within the Region. Seek to maintain
local landscape character and to conserve cultural assets.
Take particular care to sustain and, where required,
to enhance the biodiversity of the Region, its natural
habitats, high quality landscapes and built heritage.
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A
balanced and integrated approach to regional development
The aim of the SDS is to provide a strategic focus which
will guide future development in order to promote a balanced
and equitable pattern of sustainable development across the
Region. It is designed to foster a broad balance between population,
housing and economic growth rates, and also aims to influence
the future pattern of growth in order to continue revitalising
areas of slower growth and to manage better 'hot spots' of
high development pressure.
The approach recognises that all parts of the Region
make a valuable contribution to the quality of life, wealth
and wellbeing of the people of Northern Ireland. Strong
and varied inter-connections between cities, towns and rural
areas, each with their distinctive though complementary roles,
add to the harmony and prosperity of the whole Region. An
integrated approach building on the mutually beneficial relationships
between town and country is vital to regional cohesion and
economic development.
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