Planning Advisory Unit
Mr Joe Nicholson
The Business Unit Manager for Planning Advisory Unit is Mr Joe Nicholson. Based in Craigavon the unit provides advice to Planning Service on the drainage/flood risk aspects of Development Plans and planning applications commensurate with the need to prevent inappropriate and unsustainable development. The unit has key functions as follows:
- advising Planning Service on inappropriate development in floodplains or elsewhere to avert any increase in risk to life and damage to property through flooding (PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk refers),
- river modelling in support of floodplain identification and protection,
- carrying out drainage impact assessments in relation to lands zoned for development in Area Plans,
- scrutiny of flood risk assessments submitted by developers as part of planning applications,
- acting as key contact with the Planning Service in relation to matters concerning flood risk and land use planning,
- input to the Working Party dealing with the emerging SUDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) policy for Northern Ireland.