Consultation Responses

The Department received a total of 109 responses during its consultation process, including the report on the rural clinics. The respondents were not constrained by the main issues identified in the leaflet and they submitted wide ranging, constructive and detailed comments. Over 900 separate suggestions were made for future planning policy, practice or procedure. There was no consensus expressed. There was, however, a strongly held view that planning policy placed too much emphasis on centralisation and channelling people into larger settlements. There was also concern that the present rural planning policy was inappropriate to Northern Ireland and that insufficient distinction was made between the circumstances in different parts of the country. Some groups and individuals were in favour of relaxing planning restrictions on rural development. Others emphasised the importance of facilitating economic activity. Yet others saw conservation of the natural and man-made environment as the top priority.

Economy

It was widely considered that the Department should pursue flexible policies to keep people on the land and stimulate rural regeneration and diversification of the rural economy. However it was stated that rural enterprises must develop in harmony with the environment. The need for the improvement and maintenance of rural infrastructure and a commitment from Government to provide essential services was stressed.

Settlements

It was suggested that careful expansion of towns and villages should be promoted so as to reduce pressure on the countryside. Integrated, up-to-date plans should be prepared for all towns and villages. There should be mechanisms to enable land, identified as suitable for town and village expansion, to be made available for development. Environmental improvement of settlements is required and the character of settlements should be protected.

The Environment

The rural economy is an integral part of the Northern Ireland economy and has links with those of Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland and the European Community as a whole. The economy continues to undergo structural change, with employment declining in many of the older traditional industries such as agriculture and engineering and some growth occurring in the service and commercial sectors. Overall there is a persistent high level of unemployment.

Much of the region's manufacturing base is concentrated in the Belfast Urban Area and the other major urban centres. Small towns often depend upon the fortunes of a limited number of firms and the closure of a particular company can have a serious impact on the local economy.

Fortunately those sectors of the economy which have tended to show an increase in employment are not tied to the major centres of population and opportunity exists for job creation to be more dispersed throughout the region.

Twenty years ago there were 77,000 people working on farms in Northern Ireland. Today the figure is around 57,000 and includes only 22,000 full- time farmers. The trend towards fewer farm jobs is evident throughout the developed world. In the first twenty-five years of the European Community, agricultural employment in the original six countries declined from over 15 million to under 6 million people. During the same period agricultural output within the community increased dramatically and now overproduction is a problem.

There is an increasing interest in farm diversification in Northern Ireland. A number of support systems are in operation to broaden the farm economy. There is also support for traditional farming practices within the Environmentally Sensitive Areas designated by the Department of Agriculture as a means of protecting and improving the environment.

In 1988 the European Community adapted its structural funds, giving high priority to disadvantaged regions such as Northern Ireland. An initiative was launched to help local community groups to put together plans for integrated rural development in their areas.

Many rural community groups have been established in Northern Ireland; some in socially and economically disadvantaged areas. In 1989 the Government set up an inter-Departmental committee in Northern Ireland to advise on ways to tackle the problems of deprived rural areas. An independent advisory body, the Rural Development Council, was established to help local groups to develop self sustaining activities in such areas. New structures were introduced by the Department of Agriculture to deliver a co-ordinated response to the regeneration plans of local communities.

Settlements

Northern Ireland has a characteristic pattern of many small settlements scattered throughout its countryside. The towns and villages act as service centres for those people living in the rural hinterland and as focal points for community activity. These settlements differ in historical development, social and economic function and physical form. Some of these have increasingly become commuter settlements for Belfast and other larger towns. In a number of cases the scale and form of new development is threatening the character of the settlement. Other settlements have suffered decline with little investment, leading to physical decay and dereliction.

In response, there have been a number of approaches to regeneration in recent years including action by community groups and District Councils; support from the International Fund for Ireland; and projects by the Department of the Environment in certain towns. There have been schemes for comprehensive development, pedestrianisation, environmental improvement and enhancement of conservation areas.

Environment

More comments were expressed about the environment than any other topic. It was considered that more financial and human resources are required for the promotion of environmental awareness. More protection should be afforded to mature trees and new planting should be encouraged. It was suggested that a comprehensive coastal planning and protection policy should be developed and that nature conservation should be recognised as a central issue. It was generally considered that agricultural developments should be brought within planning control and that the rural environment should be protected from pollution.

Housing

Strong, but far from unanimous opinions, were put forward on the topic of housing in the countryside. Some wanted the numbers of new dwellings in the countryside to be reduced. Others considered that people who have been born into the rural community should be able to build and live in that community. There was support for the development of clusters of housing to facilitate local people to live in the countryside. It was generally considered that planning policy should facilitate the improvement and expansion of the housing stock.

Design

Opinions varied widely on the subject of design. Some thought higher priority should be given to educating people on the benefits of better development standards. Others considered that the standards should be made less rigid and arbitrary. Some said that designs which enable traditional buildings to be adapted to modem conditions should be encouraged. Others suggested that people are entitled to decide for themselves on design. There was wide support for the use and enforcement of planning conditions requiring landscaping of new development.

General

Many respondents commented on the way planning is organised in Northern Ireland. Some suggested that the statutory responsibility for planning should be changed to provide for more local accountability. There was support for greater local participation and better co-ordination between Government Departments. It was considered that planning policies should be clearly stated and consistently applied, and positive guidance given to prospective developers. Some respondents proposed that Environmental Assessment should be more extensively used.