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Rural Community Network welcomes the judgement of Mr Justice Gillen to quash the decision by former Stormont Minister Lord Rooker on PPS14. This move endorses the overwhelming position articulated by RCN’s 450 members and supported through 700 individual responses made to RCN’s consultation on the unpopular policy.
There is a clear need for a locally informed approach to dealing with planning in the countryside.
Rural Community Network has welcomed the judgement of Mr Justice Gillen to quash the decision by former Stormont Minister Lord Rooker on PPS14.
This move endorses the overwhelming position articulated by RCN’s 450 members and supported through responses to RCN’s consultation on the unpopular policy.
Furthermore the responses to RCN’S consultation endorse the comments of Omagh District Council Chairman, Bert Wilson, who has identified the clear need for a locally informed approach to dealing with planning in the countryside.
RCN’s position remains that a planning free for all in rural areas is neither desirable nor sustainable. In light of this ruling there is now a clear need for all parties with an interest in the “sustainable development of the countryside” to re engage in a robust and inclusive process. The focus now should be on developing an approach to rural planning which is fit for purpose and which takes account of all rural interests, rather than pitching opposing camps against each other.
Commenting on the court’s judgement Michael Hughes RCN’s Chief Executive Officer stated that
"To date there has been limited investment in seeking to understand what makes rural communities tick. This decision provides an opportunity for an exploration of the factors that have shaped the existing rural settlement pattern as well as creating the space for people to engage in informed and responsible conversations around how people will live and work in the countryside of the future."
When people are properly informed they will generally act responsibly when given responsibility.
RCN has been involved, with The Institute of Spatial and Environmental Planning at Queen’s University Belfast in a European Project (SPAN) which has engaged local people in conversations around the development of their communities in a manner which takes account of individual preference and environmental responsibility.
The clearly emerging lesson from this work has been that whilst consensus remains hard to reach, when people are properly informed and supported through local processes they will generally act responsibly when given responsibility.
Looking to the future RCN is keen to ensure that the learning and experience from the SPAN project informs the next steps towards “sustainable development in the countryside” and is happy to work with those progressing work in this area.
If you would like further information, please contact Rural Community Network contact us:
Rural Community Network
38a Oldtown Street
Cookstown BT80 8EF
t: 028 867 66670
f: 028 867 66006
e: linda@ruralcommunitynetwork.org
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