Background and Policy Objectives
The Act amends the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 No. 1709 (N.I.16) (as amended by The Planning and Building Regulations (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 No. 1510 (N.I. 14)) (“the 1979 Order”). The new powers and amended provisions reflect the increasing significance of sustainability and environmental issues, as evidenced by the Sustainable Development Strategy for Northern Ireland, by extending the broad principles of the regulatory framework. The opportunity is also taken to streamline and clarify some of the existing regulatory and enforcement provisions.