Public invited to PPS21 information days
Wednesday, 14 January 2009Environment Minister Sammy Wilson today urged rural dwellers to find out more about draft PPS21 by dropping in to information sessions about the policy.
Information days involving DOE officials will be held in 15 locations across Northern Ireland between now and the end of February
The Minister said: “When I launched draft PPS21 in the Assembly in November I encouraged people to read it carefully and to contribute to the consultation.
“DOE officials who are experts on draft PPS21 will host information sessions at 15 locations across Northern Ireland. The first is in Newtownards on Monday.
“Everyone is invited to come along to ask about the policy and to pick up information.
“Ministers worked together to develop a policy that strikes a balance between the needs of rural communities and the need to protect our countryside from unnecessary development.
“Draft PPS21 offers development opportunities which did not exist under draft PPS14 – but it certainly does not allow a building free-for-all. I believe we have got the balance right.
“Through it we have reinstated Dispersed Rural Communities and allowed for more to be designated in development plans. We have relaxed the restrictions on replacing dwellings and allowed for some types of non-residential buildings to be replaced with dwellings or converted for people to live in. There is now more scope for social and affordable housing and we have reintroduced policy for dwellings to meet compelling personal or domestic circumstances. Farm dwelling and farm diversification policies have been brought up to date.”
“These policies bring real benefits. But before we finalise PPS21, we will see what the public have to say".
The information days will take place on:
January 19 - Newtownards: Ards Arts Centre, Town Hall, Conway Street, 10am-7pm
January 21 - Newcastle: Newcastle Centre, Central Promenade, Newcastle 10am-7pm
anuary 27 - Ballymoney: Young Farmers Hall, Ballycraig Road, Mosside 10am-4pm
January 27 - Cushendall: The Cottage Buildings 7pm-9pm
February 3 - Hillsborough: Hillsborough Court House, The Square, 10am-4pm
February 3 - Ballyroney: Ballyroney Rural Development Centre, Ballyroney, 7pm-9pm
February 5 - Newry: Altnaveigh House, Downshire Road, 10am-7pm
February 10 - Cookstown: Loughry Campus, Dungannon Road, 10am-7pm
February 12 - Dungiven: Gortnaghey Community Centre, Gortnaghey Road, 10am-7pm
February 17 - Carrickmore: The Patrician Hall, Main Street 10am-4pm
February 17 - Strabane: Aughabrack Community Hall, Lisnarragh Road, Donemana 7pm-9pm
February 18 - Enniskillen: The Fermanagh Trust, Fermanagh House, Broadmeadow Place, 10am-7pm
February 20 - Antrim: Greenmount Agricultural College, Greenmount Road, 10am-4pm
February 20 - Broughshane: Houstons Mill, Buckna Road, 7pm-9pm
February 25 - Richill: Richill Recreation Centre, New Line, 10am-7pm
Notes to Editors:
- Environment Minister Sammy Wilson published draft PPS21 Sustainable Development in the Countryside with immediate effect and for consultation on 25 November 2008. Consultation closes on 31 March 2009.
- Draft PPS 21 replaces draft PPS14 which was introduced under Direct Rule and which imposed a presumption against development outside settlements right across Northern Ireland.
- Publication of the draft policy marked the culmination of a review of rural planning policy launched on 25 October 2007 by the previous Environment Minister, Arlene Foster.
- The work of the review was carried forward by a subgroup of the Executive comprising the Ministers for Agriculture and Rural Development, Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Regional Development, Social Development and both Junior Ministers.
- Draft PPS21 applies outside settlements across Northern Ireland except in Special Countryside Areas. These are exceptional landscapes, such as the High Mournes, stretches of the coast or lough shores, and certain views or vistas, wherein the quality of the landscape and unique amenity value is such that development should only be permitted in exceptional circumstances.
- Draft PPS21 and the Statement Sammy Wilson made in the Assembly on 25 November can be viewed online at the Planning Service Website or obtained from Draft PPS21 Consultation on 028 9025 7374.
- For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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