New planning guidelines will end uncertainity - Poots

Revised planning guidelines for building in rural areas were published today by Environment Minister Edwin Poots.

The final version of Planning Policy Statement 21 ‘Sustainable Development in the Countryside’ (PPS 21), replaces draft PPS21 which has been in effect since November 2008.

The Minister said: “In publishing PPS21 today, we have done what we promised. We have balanced the need to protect the countryside from unnecessary or inappropriate development, while supporting rural communities. We have created a policy which is right for Northern Ireland. We are also ending the uncertainty about development in the countryside and providing the planning policy context for deciding planning applications in rural areas.”

The Minister continued: “The extensive public consultation demonstrated broad support for the balanced policies in draft PPS 21. During the consultation period there were 16 public information days across Northern Ireland together with a number of seminars and meetings to encourage as many people as possible to tell us what they thought.

“We have listened to what people said and we have responded by carrying forward all the benefits of draft PPS21 including Dispersed Rural Communities, replacement dwellings and dwellings on farms.

“We have refined, improved and clarified the document. This will help home builders make better applications and help planners make faster decisions.”

Importantly, PPS21 includes a new policy which provides for rounding-off or consolidation of clusters of existing development in the countryside.

The Minister said: “We have provided some additional opportunities for development at cross-roads and existing pockets of development in the countryside.

“This policy is a demonstration that devolution can deliver real tangible benefits for local people. We now have a policy that is a major step forward for rural planning and for the development of rural communities.”

Planning Service is holding over 2,400 applications which would have been refused under draft PPS21. All of these will now be re-assessed under PPS21 and decisions issued as soon as is practicably possible.

Notes to editors:

1. PPS 21 is available on The Planning Service website. and from Divisional Planning Offices.
2. PPS 21 contains 17 operational planning policies which deal with Dispersed Rural Communities, replacement dwellings, conversion of non- residential buildings, social and affordable housing, personal and domestic circumstances, dwellings for non-agricultural enterprises, ribbon development, mobile homes, dwellings on farms, farm diversification, agriculture and forestry development, integration, rural character, setting of settlements and development relying on non-mains sewerage.
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