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IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDLP MLA BURNS: PPS14 FAILURE WILL NOT BE LIGHTLY FORGIVEN

SDLP South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns has said the Northern Ireland Executive is failing the rural community by not making a decision on PPS14 as promised.

Mr Burns said, “At election time we were all given promises by Sinn Fein and the DUP that this would be sorted. Over 1 year later we are no further forward. All we have had is delay and foot dragging. We were meant to have a proposal for a new policy on the table by the month of May.

“It is an open secret that PPS14 is now on the long list of issues that Sinn Fein and the DUP have been unable to agree and deliver on.

“The rural community have waited patiently for a fairer planning policy for the countryside. Young couples have put their plans on hold awaiting the decision on where they can build their new homes, some rural schools and businesses who are awaiting permission for new builds are left to operate in dire conditions.

“Over 1500 planning applications have been put on hold for consideration under a new policy, as many again are waiting to go into the system when a new policy is announced.

“Large developments like the Maze are one thing but young people in rural areas are preoccupied, and rightly so, with having a roof over their heads and raising their families. This failure will not be lightly forgiven.”

ENDS