The Stormont Environment Minister Edwin Poots has published new planning policies that he said would help safeguard areas of established residential character from so-called 'town cramming'.

Welcoming the NI Executive's agreement to publishing the Addendum to Planning Policy 7 (PPS7), the Minister said: "These additional planning policies are designed to ensure greater control over the density and pattern of development in established residential areas, and to ensure greater control over conversions to flats and apartments.

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"This is not however a blanket ban on redevelopment, flat conversion, infilling or development of gardens.

"It is about getting the right developments in the right places. It is aimed at providing good quality homes in keeping with the overall character of the existing area.

"It will also help reduce flash flooding in urban areas by encouraging greater use of permeable paving within new residential developments," he said.

The Department's new policy is contained within a second Addendum to Planning Policy Statement 7 (PPS 7) titled 'Safeguarding the Character of Established Residential Areas' and follows four months public consultation.

(GK/BMcC)