The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to the classes and thresholds for major development under the Planning (Development Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.
The proposals would update how a range of development types are classified and the thresholds at which proposals are treated as major development, including changes affecting energy, waste, transport and extractive industries.
Energy infrastructure
The Energy Infrastructure class would be reorganised to introduce separate categories for thermal, electricity, mechanical and chemical energy storage, with thresholds based on stored energy capacity.
For thermal, electricity and mechanical storage, the proposed major development threshold would be 200MWh.
Onshore electricity generating stations would remain major development from 10MW, with a 75MW threshold for development prescribed under law.
Wind farms would be covered by this category rather than having a separate classification.
New development categories
The proposals would introduce geothermal energy as a new development type under the renamed Extractive Industry class, with thresholds based on drilling depth. Major development would apply from 200m, rising to 500m for regionally significant schemes.
A new Carbon Capture Installations category would cover proposals involving the underground storage or sequestration of carbon, with all such proposals treated as major development.
Transport infrastructure
The Transport Infrastructure class would be reorganised into separate categories for railways, airport runways, ports and harbours, and waterways and transit ways.
The existing thresholds would remain unchanged.
Housing thresholds
There are no proposed changes to the current major development threshold for housing, whichremains at 50 residential units or more, or a site of 2 hectares or more.
Have your say
The deadline for responses is Friday 9 October 2026.
Full consultation details can be accessed here.
RSUA is preparing a response to the consultation. If you would like to share your views, please contact Curtis Large, RSUA Policy and Public Affairs Officer, at curtis@rsua.org.uk
