Direct Rule Case for PPS14 is unravelling-Sinn Fein

Omagh Sinn Fein Council Chair Seán Begley says that with the 15th&16th of January now set as the definite date for the full hearing into the High Court legal challenge against Rural Planning Proposals PPS14, he is growing increasingly optimistic that the Direct Rule Administration case for the flawed proposals is unravelling by the day.

Cllr Begley said,
“The recent revelation that Direct Rule Ministers disregarded the advice of their own Department officials that there should be a presumption in favour of development in rural areas is proof that the Administration imposed what amounts to be a permanent moratorium on development in rural areas under PPS14 as a crude attempt at political blackmail.

“Furthermore, the spin from Direct Rule Ministers that development in rural areas was now at saturation point in rural areas has been further undermined in a Conditional Report from the Housing Executive which points to a decrease, not an increase, in the volume in of housing rural areas.

“The legal action brought by Omagh District Council, supported by Cookstown and Strabane Councils, successfully challenged through judicial review the legality of the Direct Rule proposals on the grounds that they contravened the Regional Development Strategy and that no consultation was carried out.

“The combination of these factors completely undermines the Direct Rule Administration’s case for PPS 14 and it is clear that the evidential basis for these flawed proposals is unravelling by the day.

“With the 15th and 16th of January now set as the definite date for the full hearing into the High Court legal challenge against Rural Planning Proposals PPS14, I am growing increasingly optimistic that the Direct Rule Administration will be forced to go back to the drawing board.