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

Boylan raises concerns of interpretation of Draft PPS 21

Published: 14 May, 2009

Newry and Armagh MLA, Cathal Boylan, took the opportunity to raise concerns throughout the Six Counties with the implementation of Draft PPS 21 by the different planning divisions with the Environment Minister, Sammy Wilson, who was making a statement regarding the weight to be given to the economic benefits of development proposals.

The Sinn Féin Assembly member said;

'I am grateful to the Minister for making his statement. However, Assembly policies must be based on equality, and opportunities must be provided for people in rural and urban areas.I welcome the new policies that the Minister mentioned. However, will he assure the Assembly that those who implement the policies will be properly trained? Different divisions, for example, clearly interpret draft PPS 21 in different ways.'

'No matter what policy is devised and implemented, those people should be properly trained in the interim period. There should be one interpretation across the board, because confusion is being caused in the public domain. That must be looked at. I reiterate that any policy should be based on equality, and people should be given the opportunity to apply and develop.'

In reply the Minister said;

'I take the Member's point about consistency of application…With any new policy, there will be an issue of ensuring that the people who have to apply it are fully aware of all the details of how it should be applied. The good thing is that, even where there have been some differences, no decision notices have been issued, because the final version of PPS 21 will not be available until the autumn. Any refusals are still being held until that final version is available. Once it becomes available, the applications can be looked at again.'

'I have asked officials to look at this, because I take the matter seriously and there is no point in having a policy that is more draconian in one part of the country than in another. The Planning Service must address that issue. We have to accept that it takes a bit of time for a new policy to bed in and that it takes time for people to ensure that they are applying the policy equally.'

Vice Chair of the Environment Committee, Boylan, commented;

'I am pleased that the Minister recognised that there are concerns within rural communities of how Draft PPS 21 is being implemented and that he has pledged to address the issue within the Department. I am also pleased that he has reiterated that anyone who has recently been refused are still eligible to be considered when the final version of PPS 21 comes into effect in the Autumn, at which time I hope consideration is given to the non farming rural dweller.'