Rural dwellers across Northern Ireland have been invited to information seminars explaining the new draft PPS21 planning regulations.

Information days involving Department of Environment officials will be held in 15 locations across the province between now and the end of February.

Environment Minister Sammy Wilson said: "When I launched draft PPS21 in the Assembly in November I encouraged people to read it carefully and to contribute to the consultation.

"DOE officials who are experts on draft PPS21 will host information sessions at 15 locations across Northern Ireland. The first is in Newtownards on Monday.

"Everyone is invited to come along to ask about the policy and to pick up information," said Mr Wilson.

The Minister said his Executive colleagues has worked together to develop a policy, which he described as "striking a balance between the needs of rural communities and the need to protect our countryside from unnecessary development".

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"Draft PPS21 offers development opportunities which did not exist under draft PPS14 - but it certainly does not allow a building free-for-all. I believe we have got the balance right," he said.

Mr Wilson said the Dispersed Rural Communities had been reinstated to allow for more to be designated in development plans.

"We have relaxed the restrictions on replacing dwellings and allowed for some types of non-residential buildings to be replaced with dwellings or converted for people to live in."

The Minister said there is now more scope for social and affordable housing through the new legislation.

"These policies bring real benefits. But before we finalise PPS21, we will see what the public have to say," he added.

The information days will take place on:

January 19 - Newtownards: Ards Arts Centre, Town Hall, Conway Street, 10am-7pm

January 21 - Newcastle: Newcastle Centre, Central Promenade, Newcastle 10am-7pm

January 27 - Ballymoney: Young Farmers Hall, Ballycraig Road, Mosside 10am-4pm

January 27 - Cushendall: The Cottage Buildings 7pm-9pm

February 3 - Hillsborough: Hillsborough Court House, The Square, 10am-4pm

February 3 - Ballyroney: Ballyroney Rural Development Centre, Ballyroney, 7pm-9pm

February 5 - Newry: Altnaveigh House, Downshire Road, 10am-7pm

February 10 - Cookstown: Loughry Campus, Dungannon Road, 10am-7pm

February 12 - Dungiven: Gortnaghey Community Centre, Gortnaghey Road, 10am-7pm

February 17 - Carrickmore: The Patrician Hall, Main Street 10am-4pm

February 17 - Strabane: Aughabrack Community Hall, Lisnarragh Road, Donemana 7pm-9pm

February 18 - Enniskillen: The Fermanagh Trust, Fermanagh House, Broadmeadow Place, 10am-7pm

February 20 - Antrim: Greenmount Agricultural College, Greenmount Road, 10am-4pm

February 20 - Broughshane: Houstons Mill, Buckna Road, 7pm-9pm

February 25 - Richill: Richill Recreation Centre, New Line, 10am-7pm

(PR/JM)