Allister meets Foster on Rural Planning
20 March 2008
Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has met with DOE Minister Arlene Foster, in response to findings emerging from the Review of Draft PPS14.
The MEP said,
“I requested the meeting to voice a number of concerns I have arising from the Executive’s emerging findings document. Firstly, the intention to permit more flexibility outside of Green Belt and Countryside Policy Areas (CPA’s), but retaining a more restrictive approach therein is fundamentally unfair and prejudicial to the East of the Province. Virtually all of Counties Down and Antrim lie within Greenbelt/CPA designations, a point I raised strongly with the Minister.”
“I am also concerned that Ministers are divided over making any provision for permitting development for sons and daughters of rural dwellers, where suitable sites exist. It is my view that a rural kinship clause should be introduced which is capable of benefiting children of both farming and established non-farming rural dwellers.”
“While relaxation on farm viability and on the retirement dwellings policy are welcome, they of themselves do not do enough to deal with the gross inequality of approach which afflicts the east of the Province. I trust these issues will be addressed in further consideration by the Minister.”
ENDS
