PRESS STATEMENT – PRESS STATEMENT – PRESS STATEMENT

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDLP MLA BURNS: DELIVER PPS14 REPLACEMENT

SDLP South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns has said that the replacement of PPS14 will test if local politicians are in touch with rural communities. He also stated the only way to build and support rural areas is to allow people to live in these communities.

He said: “The blanket ban on rural planning that is PPS14 originated under Direct Rule.

“Two years on from its introduction and a year into devolution many in our rural communities, particularly young people are demanding change.

“They are not fooled by spurious claims from Sinn Fein that it is has been abolished.

“The only way we can build and support our rural areas is to allow people to live in these communities.

“The cost of a family site is something which is not the benefit of an urbanised village or town-driven policy, where people have to pay for the actual site plus the construction costs.

“I, like many others, see a site as a vital element in affordable housing and a great start for any young couple.

“Recently we have seen some slight improvement in planning policy as shown in the emerging findings documents. These include proposed changes to the farm viability criteria and some changes to the replacement criteria.

“However, the benchmark by which our rural communities will judge the effectiveness of devolution is how the Executive will deliver a responsible planning policy to provide homes in the countryside.

“Given some of the pronouncements coming from the Executive you would think it is a crime to come from a rural area or even dare to seek planning permission to live where previous generations have made their home.

“The countryside is our environment and our heritage, and for many of us it is where our roots are.

“PPS14’s replacement must take full and responsible recognition of these factors.

“This will really test if local politicians are in touch with local communities.

“Those of us who are from rural communities have a responsibility to act as a rural voice and we will watch with interest what unfolds over the next few weeks.”

ENDS