RSUA meets Causeway Council in year’s last quarterly meeting

Last month (15 October 2025), members of the RSUA Causeway Coast and Glens Local Group met with Denise Dickson, Head of Planning of that Council (CCGBC), to discuss issues and concerns related to the planning process in the area.

Denise was joined by Jennifer Lundy, Development Management (Locals) Manager; Shane Mathers, Development Management (Majors) and Enforcement Manager; and Sharon Mulhern, Development Plan, Trees and Conservation.

Previous engagement

This was the fourth and final meeting this year between RSUA and the Council, with a summary of the third, held on 17 July 2025, available here.

DfI Roads discussion on planning applications

Visiting officials from DfI Roads outlined the details they wish to see in applicant drawings, including road widths, footpaths, visibility splays, parking layouts and gulley locations. They advised that plans should be clear and uncluttered, and based on accurate topographical surveys rather than OS maps.

All parties agreed that poor quality submissions are slowing the planning process. RSUA noted that while the Department is approachable, responses from pre-application discussions (PADs) are often too generic. DfI Roads agreed to take this point on board.

Self-catering/short-term let accommodation

The Council referred to self-catering/short-term let accommodation guidance being presented to the Planning Committee on 22 October 2025. This guidance will be published on CCGBC’s website soon.

Discussion followed on the type of information required to support a self-catering or short-term let application and whether registration with Tourism NI would be sufficient.

The Council responded that each case will be assessed on its specific circumstances, including potential impacts on residential amenity such as the frequency of arrivals and departures.

Policy on infill dwellings

The Council gave a presentation outlining the relevant planning policy, case law and PAC decisions on infill, supported by examples demonstrating how the policy is currently implemented.

Discussion followed on the interpretation of frontage onto a road, laneway or farm and the importance of considering visual gaps.

The Council noted that Planning Committee members have received recent legal advice on a case, resulting in a noticeable change in decision making since June 2025.

CCGBC advised that an information note on infill dwellings will soon be developed and published on its website.

Planning performance update

The Council’s performance data as per the DfI’s annual planning statistics, issued on 26 June 2025, was recorded as follows:

• Major Applications (2024/25):
  • Received: 17 applications (four more than 2023/24)
  • Average processing time: 25.2 weeks (29 weeks quicker than in 2023/24)
• Local Applications (2024/25):
  • Received: 940 applications (38 fewer than in 2023/24)
  • Average processing time: 23 weeks (8.4 weeks quicker than in 2023/24)
• Enforcement Cases (2024/25):
  • Cases opened: 204 (55 fewer than in 2023/24)
  • Cases concluded within 39 weeks: 69% (10.3% higher than in 2023/24)

Additional items

• The Council provided an update on the preparation of its Local Development Plan (LDP), noting that Ulster University is finalising its independent research on housing for discussion with councillors.
• On the planning portal, CCGBC confirmed that ICF is working to review the logic of late-night planning notifications and explore aligning delivery times with standard business hours. Improved mapping functionality on the public register is also planned.
• RSUA highlighted that the amount of correspondence uploaded to the planning portal is currently insufficient. The Council agreed that key communication between case officers and agents, particularly regarding requested amendments, will be published on the portal going forward.

Further engagement

If you have any questions about this meeting or would like to join the RSUA Causeway Coast and Glens Local Group for our next meeting with CCGBC on 14 January 2026, please contact Curtis Large, RSUA Policy and Public Affairs Officer, at curtis@rsua.org.uk