To protect the rural environment.
Policies and proposals to be included in a development plan will be evaluated against the strategic objective to protect the natural and man-made environment and account will be taken of the environmental effects which might arise.
In determining applications for planning permission, account will be taken of environmental information which is relevant to the proposed development. In some circumstances, a formal assessment of a proposal's environmental effects is required under the relevant statutory regulations. Certain types of project will require an environmental assessment in every case. Other projects will require an assessment where the Department considers that their effects on the environment are likely to be significant. In both cases, the developer will be required to submit an Environmental Statement which is available for public inspection and comment. The Department will take account of the statement, any consultation replies and any representations received in deciding whether or not to grant permission. It is expected that these procedures will affect only a small number of applications, either large or unusually complex projects or proposals in particularly sensitive locations - see policy PSU2.
The Department will be guided by the precautionary principle that, where there are significant risks of damage to the environment, its protection will generally be paramount, unless there are imperative reasons of overriding public interest. In some cases, it may be possible to grant planning permission subject to conditions and/or a planning agreement to deal with any adverse environmental effects.
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