The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is pleased that the Department of Infrastructure (DfI) has made the decision to withdraw ‘Planning Advice Note (PAN) – Implementation of Strategic Planning Policy’. It was issued on 2 August 2021.
UFU deputy president David Brown said, “The UFU alongside local councils and other stakeholders have successfully lobbied for PAN to be withdrawn. We were very worried about this guidance which the DfI put forward to councils, asking them to change their approach to assessing planning applications under PPS 21. If it had of been implemented, it would have resulted in applications for clusters and infill dwellings being refused, and dwellings on farms would have to be visually linked to the farmyard with no consideration given to other suitable sites on the farm, nor issues around mortgages or values.
“We are pleased that the DfI has taken our concerns on board. More than one generation needs to be able to live on farm, and for health and safety reasons, it is not always possible to link a new dwelling to the farmyard. Not to mention, banks are not granting mortgages for self builds on farms as they aren’t saleable in a forced sale situation.
“While the PAN has been withdrawn, moving forward it is vital that property development in the countryside is logical and sustainable. If members are designing a home for planning permission in the countryside, we encourage them to be mindful that the building needs to fit in with the local area. This is a vital part of getting planning permission.”
