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PPS14 Comment

Stormont Ministers stand accused of preparing to open the floodgates to a new wave of bungalow blight in Northern Ireland's countryside. Environmentalists condemned the recommendations of a committee led by Environment Minister, Arlene Foster [1], as undermining the long term interests of both rural and urban dwellers. Friends of the Earth's Northern Ireland Director, John Woods, said:

"The test of this new policy will be the numbers of new houses that will be built in the countryside. The report makes no attempt to quantify this and it is our fear that we could see many thousands of new buildings adding to the rapid suburbanisation of our landscape. There is no mention of environmental impacts such as sewage disposal or traffic generation. Friends of the Earth will be watching very closely to ensure that a full environmental assessment of the new policy is carried out, as required by European law.

"As climate change and the end of the era of cheap oil drive up energy prices, it is madness to encourage people to live in places that are miles from all amenities.  These proposals are storing up a future of rural deprivation."

The Committee's proposals include:

• 'clachans' of new dwellings in the countryside;
• a relaxation of the 'abandonment' test to allow derelict buildings to be replaced with new houses;
• relaxing restrictions on ribbon development;
• removing the farm viability test;
• allowing retiring farmers to remain in the main farmhouse while giving permission for a new farmhouse;
• relaxing restrictions on new dwellings where sites have been previously sold for development.

John Woods continued:

"The thrust of the new proposals appears to be to provide economic development opportunities for landowners rather than look after the wider public interest, which is the purpose of the planning system. The focus is on the demand for housing, which is insatiable, rather than on the need for housing, which we should strive to meet by the most sustainable means.

"The Minister is proposing to consult only with rural dwellers and environmental organisations. In fact everyone in Northern Ireland has an important stake in this policy. The countryside is part of our natural and cultural heritage and green spaces are vital to our mental well-being. The suburbanisation of our landscapes leaves us all the poorer."

Notes

[1] Motion to NI assembly, 11 Feb 2007.