The development of a Local Development Plan (LDP) in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area has reached a landmark milestone.

Public hearing sessions will be held on 05 September 2023 to help shape the planning policy.

Following the Submission of the LDP draft Plan Strategy in May 2022, the Council received a formal letter from DfI Planning in September, stating that the Submission had successfully passed its initial checks, progressing on to the next stage of Independent Examination by the PAC.

At the end of April 2023, the PAC wrote to the Council, advising that the Commissioner will begin the LDP Independent Examination's public hearing sessions at 10.30am on 05 September 2023.

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The sessions will run for an initial two-week period (of approximately six weeks in total) with sessions being conducted remotely, and available to view on Youtube.

The PAC 'Guidance Notes for Participants' have been published and are available on the PAC website (DCS Examination Library). A specific procedural document will be published prior to the opening of the remote hearing sessions explaining how they will operate.

Head of Planning with Council, Maura Fox said: "I am delighted that we have reached this stage in the LDP process and that the draft plan has passed through the initial assessment stages. This Independent Examination will be the next step towards adoption of the LDP Plan Strategy.

"I would encourage anyone with an interest in planning and local development to take the opportunity to observe the online public hearing sessions as part of the programme of engagement which has helped shape our LDP from the beginning."