The Department remains the decision-making authority for regionally significant and called-in applications.

After considering the application and public representations, it may request the Planning Appeals Commission to hold a Public Local Inquiry.

There is also a Notice of Opinion route.

The Department may notify the applicant of the decision it proposes to make, after which the applicant can request a hearing before the Commission within the specified period.

Where the Commission holds the inquiry or hearing, it performs a hear-and-report function.

It conducts the procedure and prepares a report with recommendations to the Department. The Department must consider that report before making the final decision; the Commission does not itself make the final decision in these hear-and-report cases.

Campaign groups should monitor both the Department and Commission case material.

If an inquiry is directed, immediately identify the Commission's bespoke timetable, submission requirements and procedural guide rather than assuming the original representation is sufficient for every later stage.

Sources and further information

Planning Appeals Commission - Public Inquiries and Hearings

Planning Appeals Commission - Procedures for Public Inquiries and Hearings into Regionally Significant and Called-in Planning Applications

Last checked: 26 September 2026

Preserve the complete inquiry record and continue monitoring the official case.

The Commission prepares its report and recommendations in hear-and-report cases, but the report is not normally made public until after the Department has issued its decision.

Do not continue sending unsolicited merits evidence unless the Commission or Department reopens a matter or requests information.

If further submissions are invited, comply with the exact scope and deadline.

When the Department issues its decision, compare it with the Commission report when available.

Identify the reasoning on the principal issues and any conditions or mitigation. If there is concern that the decision was legally defective, obtain Northern Ireland public-law advice promptly rather than assuming the Commission provides a further merits appeal.

Sources and further information

Planning Appeals Commission - Public Inquiries and Hearings

Planning Appeals Commission - Procedures for Public Inquiries and Hearings into Regionally Significant and Called-in Planning Applications

Last checked: 26 September 2026

Northern Ireland classifies development into local, major and regionally significant categories. Local and major applications are primarily handled by councils, while regionally significant applications under section 26 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 are determined by the Department for Infrastructure.

The category affects who decides the application and which procedural requirements apply, including pre-application community consultation for major and regionally significant development.

Sources and further information

Department for Infrastructure - Department's determination of applications https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/articles/departments-determination-applications

Last checked: 25 September 2026

Major development is generally dealt with by the relevant district council under the two-tier planning system, subject to the statutory framework and the Department's call-in powers.

Do not confuse a 'major' application with a 'regionally significant' application. Regionally significant applications are processed and determined by the Department for Infrastructure.

Sources and further information

Department for Infrastructure - Department's determination of applications https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/articles/departments-determination-applications

Department for Infrastructure - Strategic Planning Policy Statement, Edition 2 https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/strategic-planning-policy-statement-edition-2

Last checked: 25 September 2026

Under section 29 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, the Department can require an application made to a council to be referred to it for determination. This is commonly described as a called-in application.

Once called in, the application follows the Departmental route applicable to referred cases. Depending on the stage reached before call-in, further public consultation may not always be necessary.

Sources and further information

Department for Infrastructure - Department's determination of applications https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/articles/departments-determination-applications

Last checked: 25 September 2026