Premises
Planning
The Department of the Environment (DOE) for Northern Ireland![[external site]](extlink.gif)
is the unitary planning authority for Northern Ireland and is responsible for regulating development and land use in the interest of the community. The Planning Service, an Agency within the Department, administers its planning functions.
The Department of the Environment (DOE) for Northern Ireland
is the unitary planning authority for Northern Ireland and is responsible for regulating development and land use in the interest of the community. The Planning Service, an Agency within the Department, administers its planning functions. Planning permission is normally required for new buildings and for change of use of existing buildings from agricultural to non-agricultural use. Contact your local Planning Service Divisional Office for applications and advice.
Building Control
To ensure that any premises used in your new business comply with building regulations you should contact Building Control at your local council. Building regulations are a method of setting performance standards in the design and construction of buildings to safeguard the health and safety of people in and around those buildings. They ensure that a minimum standard is consistently applied province wide to all building work and also provide an independent assessment of both builders and designers work.
To ensure that any premises used in your new business comply with building regulations you should contact Building Control
at your local council. Building regulations are a method of setting performance standards in the design and construction of buildings to safeguard the health and safety of people in and around those buildings. They ensure that a minimum standard is consistently applied province wide to all building work and also provide an independent assessment of both builders and designers work. Rates
If proposing to create new premises or change existing buildings from agricultural to non-agricultural use rates may be liable, depending on the nature of the enterprise. The amount of rates payable depends on the valuation as assessed by the Valuation and Lands Agency, and the sum of the district and regional rates. If new facilities are introduced, however, the amount payable may also change.
If proposing to create new premises or change existing buildings from agricultural to non-agricultural use rates may be liable, depending on the nature of the enterprise. The amount of rates payable depends on the valuation as assessed by the Valuation and Lands Agency, and the sum of the district and regional rates. If new facilities are introduced, however, the amount payable may also change.
For advice on the valuation and classification of property and for information on the poundage rate in your area contact the Land and Property Services.
The Land and Property Services agency bills and collects rates. Rates are a property-based tax designed to raise revenue to make a contribution towards the cost of local services within Northern Ireland. Rates may be paid on a monthly basis, which may help with cash management in your business.