Wilson adamant on rural building

The PPS 14 planning policy outlaws new single rural dwellings

Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has said he is not prepared to allow a free-for-all over countryside building.

Deadlock within the Executive was delaying implementation of reforms to the PPS 14 ban on building in rural areas, the DUP minister said.

He said he feared other politicians wanted to unpick a compromise agreed by a cross-party working group.

"We're not going to have a free-for-all which destroys one of our most valuable assets, the beautiful landscape."

The controversial PPS 14 planning policy, which outlaws new single rural dwellings, is one of a number of pressing issues not yet agreed upon by the Executive.

Amid growing signs of political stalemate and indecision within the Stormont Executive, other issues to be resolved include the proposed Maze stadium, post-primary education, the planned education and skills authority and water charges.

'Unlawful'

Last September, the PPS 14 planning policy was ruled unlawful as it was introduced by the Department of Regional Development which did not have the power to do so. A High Court judge later ruled the law would not be overturned but it is due to be reviewed.

Mr Wilson told the BBC's Inside Politics programme: "There are some who, quite frankly, would just like a free-for-all of building in the countryside, and I am not prepared to let that happen.

"There are rural parts of Northern Ireland that I want to see preserved."

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