High Court ruling quashes decision on PPS14

The NI High Court today overruled an earlier decision by former Stormont Minister Lord Rooker on PPS14, the controversial planning policy for sustainable development in the countryside. In welcoming the decision, the Rural Community Network stated

"the move endorses the overwhelming position articulated by RCN’s 450 members
and supported through 700 individual responses made to RCN’s consultation on the
unpopular policy."

Commenting on the court’s judgement Michael Hughes RCN’s Chief Executive Officer stated that

“To date there has been limited investment in seeking to understand what makes
rural communities tick. This decision provides an opportunity for an exploration
of the factors that have shaped the existing rural settlement pattern as well as
creating the space for people to engage in informed and responsible
conversations around how people will live and work in the countryside of the
future.”

Looks like a more inclusive and rural community-led policy-making and planning process might get underway. What do you think? What are your views on the ruling?

Not sure what PPS14 is about, click here?

Want to know what rural communities in NI thought was wrong with it, click here?