Alliance stress environmental importance

Alliance will work for the better protection of Northern Ireland's architectural heritage and ensure that future development is not at the expense of the environment, the party said today.

Assembly candidate Geraldine Rice said that public frustration with planning decisions meant that reform of Planning Service procedures was necessary.

"Alliance favours balanced development that creates new investment, prosperity and homes, while respecting both the environment and our built heritage," Councillor Rice said.

"We are very concerned at the lack of proper planning frameworks in most parts of Northern Ireland, the destruction of many buildings of historic importance or architectural merit and incursions into the green belt.

"Alliance wants to give councils the ability to initiate third-party appeals, as the current appeals process is weighted in favour of developers. We will also start a review of Planning Policy Statements (PPSs), which should be consistent with both the economic and social needs of Northern Ireland, and the concerns of local communities."

Cllr Rice said her party would also be pushing for the abolition of VAT on all renovations and repairs to existing buildings, and support the creation of more 'Conservation Areas', to protect the built environment in key areas of historical or architectural interest.

"People have been dismayed by the wanton destruction of many listed buildings, and these measures will help protect our cultural heritage for future generations" she added.

(MB)