Town Planning has many functions but one of the most important is spatial land use planning.

The department has used Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to varying degrees for many years. GIS is a computer-based tool that analyses, stores, manipulates and visualises geographic information, normally in a map form. GIS is therefore a helpful tool when dealing with spatial data.

The department works in parallel with other Government departments in collecting and storing different types of data in its GIS.

When the department introduced its e-planning application system in 2015 it included the integration of application data with the GIS. Application data can therefore be presented in a spatial form.

The Town Planning Viewer available on this site allows users to search and display data relating to applications. It also includes a print function that it is hoped users will find useful when, for example, preparing site and location plans that are required when submitting an application.

Coordinates: 36°7′N 5°21′W
Max Height: 426 m
Length of the Rock: 6km approx
Planar Area: 6.55Km2
Surface Area: 8.40Km2
Water: 0
Caves: 140+
Roads: more than 48km
Tunnels: 52km approx
Population: 29,752 (2011 estimate)