Environmental and Planning Law Association of Northern Ireland

December 2025

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EPLANI

GDO Amendment Order 2012

19.09.2012

 An Amendment to the GDO has been introduced which it is hoped will speed up development in certain sectors. Changes include:

– small shop and office owners no longer needing to apply for planning permission to extend their properties; – documentation to accompany a planning application will be reduced resulting in less expense for applicants; and  – there will be better control over demolition where works are likely to have significant effects on the environment.

The Planning (General Development) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012, came into operation on 19 September 2012. It amends the GDO by revising existing industry and warehouse permitted development rights to expand the scope of those rights and introducing specific permitted development rights for shops, financial and professional services establishments; office premises; and schools colleges universities and hospitals. 

The Statutory Rule, along with a revised Departmental Direction on Demolition of Buildings, introduces new arrangements for the demolition of buildings, subject to certain exclusions in areas of townscape and village character. The Direction set out below states those buildings not exceeding 115 cubic metres and the whole or part of any gate, wall, fence or other means of enclosure are not development. 

Earlier this year regulations to improve the planning process for development projects involving Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) were introduced.  From 19th September demolition projects that have significant effects on the environment must be subject to Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations. A revised and updated Development Advice Note on Environmental Impact Assessment was also published on 19 September 2012. At the same time Public Information Leaflet No 9 on Demolition and Planning Control has also been revised to explain the need to comply with the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations when considering the demolition of buildings. Further information is available at http://www.planningni.gov.uk.

EPLANI held a consultation event on these changes back in April and made a submission to DOE. Details are set out below.