Learn how development proposals are discussed or consulted on before an application is submitted.
Last updated: 2 July 2025
Before a planning application is submitted, an applicant may decide to discuss their development proposal with the local planning authority (LPA). In some cases, pre-application engagement is mandatory. Here are the pre-application engagement processes in Northern Ireland:
Pre-application Community Consultation (PACC) process that is mandatory for developers carrying out major and regionally significant developments.
Some LPAs offer a free PAA service for general queries regarding planning policies, material considerations etc. This service is largely provided via emails or phone calls with a duty planning officer.
LPAs offer a PAD service which enables an applicant to discuss their development proposal with a planning officer before they submit their application. There are set fees for this service, depending on the type and scale of the development.
A PAD request is submitted as a formal application but a lot less detail is required than for a planning application. Sufficient information needs to be provided to allow the LPA to take an informed view of the proposed development. A PAD usually includes a meeting with a planning officer who will afterwards issue a written response indicating whether or not the pre-application proposal complies with planning policy and is likely to be considered acceptable.
PAD requests are not published online and are not subject to public consultation.
The LPA's response to a PAD request can give a good indication of how the planning application is likely to be determined. It’s worth requesting a copy of any such advice if it’s not already provided as part of the planning application documents.
Section 27 of the Planning (Development Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 requires applicants to engage in pre-application consultation with the local community before submitting a planning application for major or regionally significant developments. This statutory requirement ensures that communities are better informed about such proposals and provides an opportunity for them to contribute to the design process at an early stage.
As part of the PACC process, applicants must submit a proposal of application notice (PAN) to the planning authority at least 12 weeks before they apply for planning permission. The PAN must provide details on how the applicant intends to consult with the local community about their development proposal.
There is a requirement for the applicant to hold at least one public event and publish details of the proposal and consultation in a local newspaper at least 7 days prior to the event being held. Comments are made to the applicant directly before they submit their planning application, and not to the planning authority.
The applicant must prepare a ‘pre-application community consultation report’ to accompany their planning application, which includes details of how people’s views have been taken into account in the development proposals.
Getting involved in the PACC process is an excellent opportunity to try to influence a major or regionally significant development that is proposed in your local area.
Making your views known to the applicant before the planning application is submitted increases the chances of positively influencing the development to reflect local wildlife interests, and for enhancement and mitigation measures to be designed into the scheme.