To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail how her Department is using its town centres first approach planning policy to benefit the North Down area.

My Department’s regional planning policy contained in the Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) requires a town centre first approach for the location of new retail development and other main town centre uses. Councils must take account of the SPPS in the preparation of their Local Development Plans (LDPs), including Ards and North Down Borough Council who are continuing with their plan preparation for their draft Plan Strategy, which is anticipated later this year as indicated by the Council timetable. The provisions of the SPPS are also a material consideration in the determination of individual planning applications and appeals.