John McCallister MLA, Independent Unionist for South Down, questioned the Minister for the Environment yesterday (Monday 13 October 2014) on the problem many families are facing to secure mortgages to build in the countryside, under the Department’s planning rules.
In a statement Mr McCallister said: “This is an issue I have dealt with across South Down. Applicants are gaining planning permission to build their homes in the countryside, but due to the stipulations to build beside farm buildings, banks are refusing to provide mortgages.
“This is largely due to concerns surrounding the banks’ ability to sell on properties should they need to make a repossession at some point in the future.
“I am a supporter of restricting planning in the countryside. However, the current policy is indirectly discriminating against some households. People are in a position to secure a mortgage based on their finances, but the banks are refusing, due to the location of their homes. “The Minister stated that planning officials have been instructed to provide letters of support to the banks, but I am not convinced as to how this will change their minds.
“Many families in South Down are adhering to planning policy, but are having their hopes for a family home dashed because the policy ignores the market realities of building directly beside farm buildings.
“The Minister must examine this issue as part of his work to ensure PPS21 is consistently implemented across Northern Ireland,” added Mr McCallister.
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