PPS14.com set up an online forum to facilitate the public consultation undertaken by the Department of Regional development. We analysed a representative sample of the opinions of ordinary people to PPS14. It is important to note that the views of those for or against the proposed legislation were treated equally and were not subject to any kind of weighting or screening. Below is a brief summary of the conclusions and recommendations. Click Here to view the full report.

Main Conclusions

The sub title of Draft Planning Policy Statement 14 was "Sustainable Development in the Countryside." The Global Development Research Centre defines this as: "Development that meets the needs and aspirations of the current generation without compromising the ability to meet those of future generations."

What is abundantly clear from the responses is that PPS14 will in no way meet the needs of the current generation. There are many good examples of houses that are well designed and sited so that their overall impact on the surrounding area is minimal. It is also true that there are many bad examples, however with proper planning controls these can be eliminated from future development.

What emerges is the need for a policy that discourages short term speculative building in the countryside by developers, but which allows individuals to build a long term house for their immediate family and future generations. The dwelling should be well designed, energy efficient and built according to sustainable building practices.

Serious questions must also be asked of the Department of Regional Development who are responsible for PPS14, for it seems that the social and economic needs of the rural community have been superimposed in line with those in England - a region with completely different demographics and rural structure to that of Northern Ireland. Clearly the DRD have failed to properly recognise the needs of the rural community and the public consultations have not filled the respondents with confidence that their views were being heard.

The overall conclusion must be that whilst the intentions of PPS14 are laudable, 99% of respondents felt that the methods chosen will do more harm than good.

Recommendations

1. Withdraw the Draft Planning Policy Statement 14

2. Develop a sustainable policy that will support the rural economy and communities.

3. Adopt a neutral stance on one off housing, considering applications on their individual merits with reference to the local area and its needs.

4. Prevent speculative building in the countryside in favour of one off housing for families genuinely wishing to settle in an area.

5. Promote the highest standards in sustainable design and living through better controls and planning requirements.

99%

REJECT PPS14

Read the full report of the PPS14.com Survey

Judicial Review of PPS14 announced!

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Living in the Landscape

By Jane Burnside RIBA

Read Here

Republic of Ireland take opposite view on rural housing!

In April 2005, the Republic issued guidelines with a presumption in favour of one off housing. Find out why they see one off housing as an "integral part of a sustainable development of rural areas". Click Here...

Download a letter to send to the Department of Regional Development

Click Here

Have Ministers ignored the views of the Rural Community?

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Useful Links

PPS14 Full Document

Elevate - The Rural Planning Experts

Read more.....