Planning:Clarity in the countryside
Friday, July 9th, 2010A summary of the final PPS21 policy which slightly eases restrictions on rural dwellings. “No-one has got their head around the question of how to meet the demand for [a stand-alone single house in the countryside] without creating a free-for-all”, Edwin Poots told his Assembly colleagues on 1 June. As the Environment Minister issued PPS21, he revealed that while it clarifies most of the planning policy for deciding planning applications in rural areas, an important area will undergo further analysis: non-farming rural dwellers and their demand for ‘stand- alone’ houses. During...[full story]
Westminister 2010:Final planning
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010agendaNi looks at the agreed planning reform proposals. Extra powers for new councils and a new hierarchy to categorise developments are the main elements in the planning reforms, finalised by the Executive after a long wait. The plans, which met with no major Assembly opposition, are now due to be written up in law but time is again tight. A consultation on the proposed reforms to the planning system opened in July 2009 and in January this year Environment Minister Edwin Poots presented the final proposals to the Executive. The reforms were passed by the Executive on 25 February and...[full story]
Urban regeneration:Village in a city
Monday, April 5th, 2010After a long decline, things are looking up for South Belfast’s Village area, as residents tell Peter Cheney. Over recent years, the Village has been in the news for its poor living conditions but now a corner is being turned for the better. The ‘Greater Village’ takes up a western corner of South Belfast, mostly between the Donegall Road and Tates Avenue; around 5,000 people call it home. The heart of the area lies between Glenmachan Street, Donegall Avenue and the two above roads. agendaNi visited the Village during March to find out what local people thought about the plans...[full story]
Urban regeneration:Not forgetting town centres
Monday, April 5th, 2010Social Development Committee Chair Simon Hamilton updates agendaNi on its work into regenerating towns across the province. Northern Ireland has a fine tradition of vibrant market towns offering locals and visitors alike a rich offering of independent retail and recreational opportunities. The ravages of the Troubles took their toll on many town centres as has, more recently, the impact of economic uncertainty caused by the downturn. If town centres are to continue to be the economic drivers for their surrounding districts, then regeneration is essential. Town centre reinvigoration policy...[full story]
Planning:Culture change
Friday, February 5th, 2010Professor Greg Lloyd calls for planning to be seen positively rather than negatively, adding that much more debate is needed about this policy field. Peter Cheney reports. Northern Ireland needs a culture change, if its planning system is to improve, according to the author of the province’s planning review. Professor Greg Lloyd, who now heads up the University of Ulster’s School of the Built Environment also suggested that changing times mean that planning powers may need to be rethought and therefore its transfer to local government delayed. In essence, the planning system needs...[full story]
