24 March 2006
Northern Ireland planning minister Lord Rooker has announced a ban on isolated housing developments in rural areas.
Over the past five years, there has been a five-fold increase in the building of homes away from established towns and villages. These will now only be permitted in exceptional circumstances – such as homes for farm workers.
Rooker described the growth of isolated dwellings as 'unsustainable'.
Launching the draft Planning Policy Statement 14, Rooker said: 'PPS 14 is designed to protect one of Northern Ireland's greatest assets, its countryside. At present, the numbers of rural planning approvals here are three times the combined total in England, Scotland and Wales.
'In 2004/05 alone, there were 9,520 approvals for new dwellings. Indications are that the 2005/06 figure will be well over 12,000.'
Although PPS 14 is a draft statement, it will take immediate effect for new applications. About 10,000 applications currently under consideration or appeal will not be affected.
Rooker said he was motivated not only by the blight on the rural landscape, but also the threat posed to water quality through the widespread use of septic tanks, and to road safety because of the traffic increase on rural lanes.
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors predicted the measure would significantly increase house prices in rural areas, which have already risen sharply.
Rooker also announced reforms to the planning system, designed to speed up the development control and appeal process.
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