The building of single homes in the countryside is restricted

The figures were released at an Assembly committee meeting on Thursday.

The committee was told 554 planning applications had been refused on PPS14 grounds since March 2006

Planning officials say legal advice suggests that although PPS14 has been ruled unlawful, those refusals will stand.

Environment Minister Arlene Foster is now being urged to ensure that the applicants affected by PPS14 planning statement do not have to pay the fees associated with a fresh application.

Last week, the High Court ruled that a government ban on new single rural dwellings had been introduced illegally

Mr Justice Gillen said that if he was wrong in his judgement, then the Department of Rural Development could appeal.

The judge said he would put off making an order confirming his judgement for one week to allow the department's lawyers to file affidavits.

Following that, he said, the hearing would take place on 27 September.