Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has come under pressure to withdraw new planning advice which has been labelled "restrictive" for rural communities.

The new 'Planning Advice Note for Development in the Countryside' sets out a new definition of buildings which can be taken into consideration when assessing a planning application for development on a farm and proposes that a group of buildings which include a house and domestic garage should not be included.

Chair and Deputy Chair of Mid Ulster District Council's Planning Committee, Councillors Kyle Black and Sean McPeake have jointly written to Minister Mallon warning this would have serious ramifications for those in rural areas.

-- Advertisement --

"In Mid Ulster, the proportion of new dwellings allowed in the countryside is lower than the proportion of people living in the countryside," said Councillor Kyle Black.

"There is no need, therefore, to place any additional limitations on development in rural areas.

"In fact, I would argue that there is a need to explore policy to provide additional sustainable opportunities for Mid Ulster's existing rural dwellers.

"This policy would effectively tie our hands when it comes to making decisions tailored to, and based on, the needs of local people, which is what the transfer of planning powers to local council was all about."

Deputy Chair of the Planning Committee, Councillor Sean McPeake, added: "While other councils may face pressures in terms of accommodating rural development, we in Mid Ulster have the capacity to absorb new dwellings.

"To address the issue with a 'one size fits all' approach is not appropriate, reasonable or fair.

"We are also concerned that the guidance could prejudice our ability to progress our Draft Local Development Plan which has been, rightly, developed to ensure that we take account of the very specific planning needs of our rural communities."

A letter has been issued to the Minister detailing the Committee's objections and asking her to withdraw the planning advice guidance.