Revised planning guidelines for building in rural areas have been published by Northern Ireland Environment Minister, Edwin Poots.

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

Minister Poots said: "In publishing PPS21, 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.

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"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."

PPS21 includes a new policy that 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."

However, Sinn Féin Planning Spokesperson, Cathal Boylan has said the plan requires further improvement.

He said: "This revised policy provides increased opportunities to develop in the countryside. The new policy proposals includes less restrictive personal and domestic circumstances, building within existing clusters and a clearer definition of criteria for gap sites, as well as an opportunity to develop away from farm clusters. It is also proposed that a new Rural Design Guide is due to be published in the autumn.

"But there is still much work to be done to ensure the sustainability of our rural communities. All sectors of the rural community should be given the opportunity to apply for planning to enable them to live in the countryside.

"The issue of the non-farming rural dweller still needs to be addressed by the Department, and local councils should be given powers to determine the number of single dwellings within their own rural areas."

Green Party MLA, Brian Wilson expressed disappointment at the development, describing it as a "charter for developers and speculators".

(NS/BMcC)