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05/07/2013
Farmers' Planning Rules Eased
New measures have been brought in to make it easier for farmers to develop on their own land without the need for planning permission.
The new rights, known as permitted development rights, will come in to operation in August 2013.
"Farmers will now be able to undertake new build or extend agricultural buildings including sheds for hay and straw, storage and maintenance of agricultural machinery and plant, milking parlours, slurry storage tanks and chicken and other livestock sheds without having to go through the planning application process," a statement from the Department of the Environment said.
Farmers will now be allowed to construct buildings up to 500 square metres without the need for a planning application. Currently farmers can only erect up to 300 square metres.
Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: "These new rights, the most generous on these islands, will eliminate unnecessary red tape to enable agriculture to grow in a challenging economic climate. Extensive research has been carried out and I have listened and met with various groups and these changes are warmly welcomed. I want to help expand our agri-food business by 40% in the next few years. That is what producers tell me they hope to achieve – these changes can help the industry to do so."
The rights also provide for the installation of structures of up to 500 square metres to house anaerobic digestion plant on agricultural units.
Alex Attwood continued: "Renewable energy and technology is our single biggest economic opportunity. This is why I am working hard to get planning better fit for purpose with more renewable approvals. Statistics published this week show an increase of 90% in renewable energy applications with almost nine in ten of these approved. This will help our economy and meet Executive Renewable Energy targets."
(IT/CD)
The new rights, known as permitted development rights, will come in to operation in August 2013.
"Farmers will now be able to undertake new build or extend agricultural buildings including sheds for hay and straw, storage and maintenance of agricultural machinery and plant, milking parlours, slurry storage tanks and chicken and other livestock sheds without having to go through the planning application process," a statement from the Department of the Environment said.
Farmers will now be allowed to construct buildings up to 500 square metres without the need for a planning application. Currently farmers can only erect up to 300 square metres.
Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: "These new rights, the most generous on these islands, will eliminate unnecessary red tape to enable agriculture to grow in a challenging economic climate. Extensive research has been carried out and I have listened and met with various groups and these changes are warmly welcomed. I want to help expand our agri-food business by 40% in the next few years. That is what producers tell me they hope to achieve – these changes can help the industry to do so."
The rights also provide for the installation of structures of up to 500 square metres to house anaerobic digestion plant on agricultural units.
Alex Attwood continued: "Renewable energy and technology is our single biggest economic opportunity. This is why I am working hard to get planning better fit for purpose with more renewable approvals. Statistics published this week show an increase of 90% in renewable energy applications with almost nine in ten of these approved. This will help our economy and meet Executive Renewable Energy targets."
(IT/CD)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
