Draft rural planning legislation PPS 21 has seen a 98% approval of applications submitted since its inception last year.

The new countryside planning guidelines, launched in November 2008, replaced the controversial Draft Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 14, which imposed significant restrictions on developments in rural areas.

Out of the 1,778 applications for single or replacement dwellings lodged between 25 November and the end of March, only 25 were refused.

However, only approvals are currently being issued automatically. While plans likely to be refused are being given deferred status.

Environment Minister Edwin Poots said: "Applications recommended for refusal are being deferred at the request of the district council, provided the applicant does not wish the decision to be issued, until the revised policy is in place.

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"However, many applications submitted under the old PPS 14 were earmarked for rejection but were held in anticipation of the new planning policy. Their reassessment under the new policy is allowing many of them to be approved," said the Minister.

"Had the direct rule-inspired PPS 14 been allowed to continue then we would have still been living under an effective blanket ban on development in the countryside."

Mr Poots revealed the statistics following a question tabled at Stormont by the SDLP's Patsy McGlone.

Responding to the figures, Mr McGlone said: "Further to providing homes for people to live in, it might also hopefully stimulate jobs in the building industry."

PPS 21 was criticised by Queen's Environmental Planning lecturer Dr Geraint Ellis, who said it was "the worst thing we can do for sustainable development".

Former Environment Ministe Sammy Wilson, who pushed through the draft policy, last year dismissed suggestions the new legislation would "not permit a building free-for-all in our countryside."

(PR/JM)