Gardiner says Legal Collapse of PPS 14 was Inevitable
Ulster Unionist Environment and Planning Spokesman, Sam Gardiner MLA, said today that he was not in the least surprised that Lord Justice Gillen had ruled the action of former direct rule Environment Minister Lord Rooker unlawful.
“This action by Lord Rooker was typical of the highhandedness of the latter days of the Hain regime and betrayed an indifference to both public opinion and common sense. It is hardly a surprise that the Courts would overrule this.”
“The countryside must not suffer from bungalow blight but at the same time it cannot become a massive, empty regional park. The countryside needs to be nurtured and developed in a sympathetic, intelligent and sustainable way.”
“No-one is suggesting unrestrained development - or what some refer to as ‘bungalow blight.’ What amounted to a virtual blanket ban on development in PPS14 was equally insupportable.”
“A series of rational ways forward must now be found to address rural planning. In the meantime, I hope not too much planning time is wasted and planning delays caused by the inevitable round of appeals that will follow hard on the heels of this legal ruling.”