Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has come under pressure to revisit the new planning guidance after numerous councils expressed significant concerns.

Local authorities across Northern Ireland have voiced worry over how the planning guidance could make it even more difficult for planning permission to be granted to build new homes in rural areas.

Calling for more to be done, Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan said: "At the Infrastructure committee today I asked Minister Mallon to revisit this guidance and to ensure that it supports rural families and communities.

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"Minister Mallon must now urgently and meaningfully engage with local councils to address issues around this guidance and the detrimental impact that it could have on younger families in rural communities.

"Many younger people and families want to live in the local communities in which they have grown up and we must actively work to ensure that they have this opportunity.

"Sinn Féin will continue to work to get more homes built for families in rural communities. The planning system must work for communities, not disadvantage them."