Geoscience for planning
Research
GSNI is a statutory consultee for development proposals, requiring planning permission for all mineral and hydrocarbon exploration or extraction applications. The circumstances in which we are consulted upon are set out in The Planning (General Development Procedure) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 and The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.
GSNI is also a non-statutory consultee for development proposals that are affected by underlying ground conditions. This may include:
- areas with abandoned mines
- areas overlying active mine leases
- areas at risk of landslides (including peat slides) and coastal erosion
- areas of mineral reserves
GSNI also contributes to local council local development plans on matters including but not limited to mineral reserves, hydrogeology, abandoned mines, coastal erosion and renewable energy.
We have produced a number of guidance documents for planners and developers to assist with the development planning process.
Statutory and non-statutory consultations (pdf)
Reference guide for planning authorities when deciding if GSNI should be consulted on an application for planning permission.
Abandoned mines and planning (pdf)
GSNI has provided digital data to all NI planning authorities identifying the areas that may be affected by abandoned mines. Any planning application that falls within these areas should be sent to GSNI for consultation.
Local development plans
Development plans set out how an area should look in the future by deciding the type and scale of development and where buildings should be allowed.