Alliance says planning laws must prevent bungalow blitz

11.22.41am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 1st Jun 2007

Alliance Sustainability Spokesperson Cllr Alan Lawther

Alliance Sustainability Spokesperson Cllr Alan Lawther has stated that adequate protection like that provided by PPS14 is essential to stop a bungalow blitz ruining our countryside. He also stated that the needs of people living in rural areas must be taken into account. His comments come following SDLP MLA Pasty McGlone's statement that the number of rural planning application approved had dropped by 90% since the introduction of PPS14.

The Antrim Councillor said: "Obviously the concerns of people living in rural areas must be taken into account; however, we do not want to see a bungalow blitz destroying our countryside.

"Adequate protection for the environment, like that provided by PPS14, is essential.

"The countryside is one or our most precious resources, both environmentally and from a tourism perspective - it simply must be adequately protected.

"If the countryside is blighted by bungalows cropping up around the place, we are in serious trouble. This process is virtually irreversible and any areas blighted are essentially lost for good.

"We must protect our rural communities but we must balance this with the need to protect our local environment."

ENDS