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26/08/2009
MLA Highlights Planning 'Loophole'
A Stormont MLA has raised concerns over a potential loophole in the PPS21 planning policy.
Alliance Leader, and the party's Environment Spokesperson, David Ford said the decision to grant a planning application in Randalstown could infringe the policy on stamping out so-called countryside "bungalow blight".
Mr Ford, (pictured) suggested it could open up "loopholes", as the application is not close to a cluster of existing buildings, as is normally required: "This application could set a dangerous precedent," he said.
"The application is 70m from the nearest buildings, which makes a mockery of PPS21's requirement for applications to be part of a cluster of existing buildings.
"It was hoped that PPS21 would offer a better balance than the blanket ban of its predecessor PPS14 and it would be sad if this compromise planning statement was ruined by such a loose interpretation of it.
"Nobody would wish for there to be a planning free for all in our beautiful countryside and I would urge planning officials to ensure that this does not happen."
(PR/BMcC)
Alliance Leader, and the party's Environment Spokesperson, David Ford said the decision to grant a planning application in Randalstown could infringe the policy on stamping out so-called countryside "bungalow blight".
Mr Ford, (pictured) suggested it could open up "loopholes", as the application is not close to a cluster of existing buildings, as is normally required: "This application could set a dangerous precedent," he said.
"The application is 70m from the nearest buildings, which makes a mockery of PPS21's requirement for applications to be part of a cluster of existing buildings.
"It was hoped that PPS21 would offer a better balance than the blanket ban of its predecessor PPS14 and it would be sad if this compromise planning statement was ruined by such a loose interpretation of it.
"Nobody would wish for there to be a planning free for all in our beautiful countryside and I would urge planning officials to ensure that this does not happen."
(PR/BMcC)
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