Minister welcomes PPS21 progress

Environment Minister Sammy Wilson today welcomed the Executive's endorsement of a new planning policy for sustainable development in the countryside.

Draft PPS21 will replace the draft PPS14 introduced by Direct Rule ministers on March 16 2006 which imposed severe restrictions on building in the countryside.

The minister said: "Draft PPS21 does away with this over restrictive Direct Rule policy but by no means will it allow a building free-for-all in the countryside.

"It is a balanced policy which will address the need to protect the countryside from unnecessary development and the need to enable rural communities to flourish socially and economically.

"The new policy will end the uncertainty around the policy context for rural planning, and allow people to benefit from the less restrictive but sustainable policies proposed in the document.

"It will also provide more scope for the reuse and replacement of buildings which could provide a much needed boost to the building trade which has been under immense pressure during the economic downturn.

"The new policy will also help support the rural economy by modernising planning policy on farm diversification to bring it into line with DARD rural development policies.

"I will bring this before the Assembly as soon as possible."

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