Planning Rules to be Eased for Northern Ireland's Farmers
Farmers in Northern Ireland will soon be able to undertake new building or extend existing agricultural buildings, including poultry sheds, milking parlours, slurry stores and anaerobic digesters, among many others without having to go through the planning process.
Under plans just issued by environment minister Alex Attwood, farmers should be able to construct buildings up to 500 sq m without planning, compared with a current limit of 300 sq m.
"These proposals, which are the most generous in these islands, will eliminate unnecessary red tape to enable agriculture to grow in a challenging economic climate," said Mr Attwood.
"I want to help expand our agri-food business by 40% in the next few years. Increasing the range of agricultural development that no longer needs planning permission will make it easier for farmers to undertake development."
The consultation process ended on 18 January 2013, and it is anticipated that they will become law later in 2013.
Under plans just issued by environment minister Alex Attwood, farmers should be able to construct buildings up to 500 sq m without planning, compared with a current limit of 300 sq m.
"These proposals, which are the most generous in these islands, will eliminate unnecessary red tape to enable agriculture to grow in a challenging economic climate," said Mr Attwood.
"I want to help expand our agri-food business by 40% in the next few years. Increasing the range of agricultural development that no longer needs planning permission will make it easier for farmers to undertake development."
The consultation process ended on 18 January 2013, and it is anticipated that they will become law later in 2013.
