Final planning guidelines restricting development in Airport Public Safety Zones in Northern Ireland have been issued today.

The new policy accompanies confirmation of revised Safety Zones at the George Best Belfast City and Belfast International Airports. These were prepared by the Department for Transport using a new methodology introduced in 2002 and which is progressively being rolled out at major airports across the UK.

Environment Minister, Arlene Foster, today issued said: "The introduction of revised Public Safety Zones for the Belfast airports and an updated policy framework will help bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK.

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"The reason behind these measures is to control the volume of people on the ground in the vicinity of airports at risk of death or injury in the event of an aircraft accident on take-off or landing. This is primarily achieved by restricting new development. The basic objective is that there should be no increase in the number of people living, working or congregating in these areas and that, over time, the number should be reduced as circumstances allow.

"Although the risk to people on the ground as a result of an aircraft accident is low compared with many other risks that most people face in their daily lives, it is necessary to ensure that appropriate precautionary measures are put in place for areas close to the ends of busier runways."

The Minister stressed that public safety is the paramount consideration for proposals affecting Airport Safety Zones. Her final planning guidelines have therefore confirmed the strong presumption against development introduced as a precautionary measure when put out to consultation last year.

(GK/JM)