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Ulster Unionist Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Tom Elliott today welcomed the decision in the courts to overturn the controversial PPS 14 ruling which affects planning and development in rural areas.

In a statement Mr Elliott said,

“I always felt that Lord Rooker’s decision to impose PPS 14 was akin to using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. It was an affront to rural communities and an insult to local government decision makers who ultimately have their areas best interests at heart.

Nobody wants to see a mushrooming of properties in our countryside but equally imposing an effective blanket ban is no solution. The right balance has to be struck and this proposal did not offer any balance.

We want to protect the countryside from random and unsightly development whilst allowing for sustainable development and the enrichment of rural communities. Many are already feeling isolated as it is with school and post office closures.

It will be up to the Assembly and Executive to find a middle way that ensures that country people have an opportunity to build within certain parameters whilst the unique beauty that our countryside offers is protected and has integrity.”

UUP Finance spokesman and East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs today learned first hand of the additional burdens being placed upon businesses in Northern Ireland when he visited Allied Bakeries in Belfast with Minister Empey,

In a statement Mr Beggs said,

“Northern Ireland ‘s manufacturing sector are being hit by higher cost in gas, electricity and transport than their competitors in the rest of the United Kingdom and indeed across Ireland as a whole.

Listening to businesses and, in particular the Managing Director of Allied Bakeries today, it should be clear to Northern Ireland’s politicians that there is little to be gained by placing additional taxes or running costs burdens on our Manufacturing sector.

These costs are already diverting money away from research and development, marketing and ultimately are costing jobs and will affect long term investment decisions.”

UUP East Belfast Representative Michael Copeland today said he shared residents concern at plans to extend the runway at George Best Belfast City Airport.

Mr Copeland said that Mr O’Leary, whose questionable use of Martin McGuinness in an advert promoting low fares from Belfast has already raised the heckles of many, was upsetting the already fragile truce between the airport and local residents.

In a statement Mr Copeland said,

“I can presently see no merits in plans to extend the runway at the Airport, the existing one seems to work perfectly well for the carriers already in place with BMI flying larger planes in and out on a daily basis.

Residents are well aware of plans to increase traffic by up to a Million at the airport but there are already agreed restrictions affecting night flights, curfews and the number of seats sold, currently a generous 1.5 Million.

Residents are rightly concerned that the airport are constantly trying to move the goalposts. The airport management are, naturally for a business, seeking to expand and generate more revenue. This is good for Northern Ireland. But equally the residents in East Belfast and the Holywood area are entitled to a decent quality of life, free from constant aircraft noise and, with a proposed greater number of flights, an increased threat to their safety.

Mr O’Leary may champion the use of ‘quieter’ aircraft but to a resident there is little difference to a quiet plane or a loud one at take off and landing.

I have written to the Ryanair boss seeking further details of his rationale in seeking to extend the runway at the Airport. I trust that his response will be prompter than his still awaited reply to my query about his ridiculous ‘flights so low even the British Army flew home’ advert which has caused a great deal of offence amongst the people he needs to try and win over with his plans for the George Best Belfast City Airport.”