Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Successful PPS21 Public Meeting

Published: 28 January, 2009

Cathal Boylan MLA addressed a public meeting on PPS21 in the Tí Chulainn centre Mullach Bán on Tuesday 27th January. Mr. Boylan was accompanied by Crossmaglen Councillor, Terry Hearty and Sinn Féin party spokesperson on rural affairs Seán McPeake.

Mr. Boylan said addressed the changes between the planning policies in PPS14 and PPS21 before opening the floor for a question and answer session, which proved to be very informative with many queries and worries being addressed.

Cathal Boylan

"Over the past number of weeks we have held a number of meetings across the North to inform people what PPS21 means for them. Although a the issue was addressed at a farmer's information evening hosted by our MEP Bairbre de Brún before Christmas, we wanted to return to South Armagh with a particular focus on the issue."

"While as party we are not endorsing PPS21 and still have major issues to address we still feel that it is a vast improvement on PPS14, in the consultation on planning we raised 18 issues, 16 of which have been incorporated into PPS21 and the matter of Non Farming Rural Dwellers is to be looked at by an independent body which is to report in a few months time"

"This an area of concern for Sinn Féin, given the change in the makeup of rural dwellers over the past number of years; non rural dwellers can be anyone from teachers in local schools to saddlers or community workers" the MLA went on "We firmly believe that these people must be accommodated in any planning policy to allow rural communities to thrive and grow, and because of this have lobbied long and hard for their plight to be addressed, with the DUP still to be convinced that their view that only farmers are entitled to automatic access to planning approval on grounds of living with or near to their working environment is wrong".

Note

Sinn Féin will be hosting a Farmers Information Evening on Friday 6th Fen at 8pm INF Killeavy.

Information on - farming grants, rural development grants & PPS21

Speakers - Damien McGenity & Local SF Councillors

Also note Grant forms are now available from Newry DARD office.

As there is only a limited number of forms available we advise all farmers to avail of this immediately

Important that anyone interested in these grants attends as deadline for applications is approaching