Ulster Unionist Agriculture and Rural Development spokesman, Tom Elliott, has said that the DOE and DARD must co-operate to produce a "progressive and joined-up alternative" to the current policy regarding on-farm planning, in particular the existing criteria used to assess farm viability received strong criticism from the Fermanagh and South Tyrone representative.

In a statement Mr Elliott said: "I have for some time been pressing for the existing system of farm viability assessment to be significantly overhauled as it is completely unrealistic in nature by failing to represent the reality in our rural areas and it is having a negative impact on the development of sustainable communities.

"The issue of rural planning and Draft PPS 14 have been an ongoing matter of debate in Stormont for many months, the final version of this contentious policy is expected soon, and now is an ideal opportunity for the departments involved, DARD and DOE, to ensure that the viability tests receive a root and branch review."

Mr Elliott, vice chairman of the Assembly's DARD committee, continued: "At the moment if a farmer had a son who wished to build a home alongside him on the family farm then the farm would need two labour units, one for each property. This translates into a requirement to have a herd that would match a certain number of 'man hours' set by DARD, to be viable at present this family would need a herd that is equivalent to 4400 'man hours', the requirement that I understand DARD set is a minimum of 200 beef cattle or 80 dairy cattle between them.

"This overly clinical way of looking at the issue fails to take into consideration that Northern Ireland has historically been dotted with small farm businesses, the current policy fails to recognise this historical fact, in 2006 for example there were 3295 farms registered to addresses in Fermanagh, with 2726 being classed as 'very small' while a further 380 were classed as 'small'."

In conclusion Mr Elliott added: "Using existing methodology and the required 'man hours' to justify a dwelling on the traditional Northern Ireland farm is almost an impossibility and this does little to help the longer term health of our rural areas where communities need to be nurtured and strengthened. A more realistic approach is required as the present way of working is not fit for purpose and I urge the relevant Ministers to ensure that this is reflected in their deliberations."