The Planning(Northern Ireland) Order 1991

Requirement of planning permission for continuance of use instituted by Crown

117.—(1) The Department may in writing direct that paragraph (2) shall apply to such use of land by the Crown as is specified in the direction, being a use resulting from a material change made or proposed to be made by the Crown in the use of the land.

(2) Where a direction is given under paragraph (1) in respect of any Crown land, then, if at any time the land ceases to be used by the Crown for the purpose specified in the direction, this Order shall have effect in relation to any subsequent private use of the land as if the specified use by the Crown had required planning permission and been authorised by planning permission granted subject to a condition requiring its discontinuance at that time.

(3) The condition referred to in paragraph (2) shall not be enforceable against any person who had a private estate in the land at the time when the direction was given unless the Department has notified him of the direction and of the effect of that paragraph.

(4) References in this Article to the use of land by the Crown include references to its use on behalf of the Crown, and “private use” means use otherwise than by or on behalf of the Crown.