BY CONOR SHARKEY
A STRABANE farmer whose planning application was refused under the PPS 14 ruling now has high hopes that the overturning of the illegal ban will allow him to invest in his farm.
The controversial ban on building new homes in rural areas was quashed last Friday, following a strong legal challenge from five district councils, including Strabane.
Direct Rule Minister Lord Rooker introduced the measure last year in response to a surge of planning applications for countryside dwellings.
The overturning of the ban by judge Mr Justice Gillen could now pave the way for hundreds of appeals against planning refusals.
Last year, Bready farmer Raymond Pollock, pictured, was refused permission to build a farm manager's dwelling on his property because it contravened PPS 14.
Speaking to the Strabane Chronicle this week, he said he is hopeful of finally getting the go ahead from the Planning Service.
"The overturning of PPS14 has to be looked at favourably by everyone with a vested interest in the agricultural community.
"My farm here in Bready operates all year around, supplying milk to a company called Stoneyfield, who invested £10 million pound to set up here in Ireland on the back of guarantees from myself and eight other farmers.
"I am nearing retirement age and when I do give it up, I will need two men on site permanently to keep this operation running.
So, it is vital that the planners accomodate people like myself who come forward with a genuine request such as a farm manager's dwelling. Not many young people are coming into farming these days and the more obstacles that are put in their way, the less likely they are to stick with it. They need incentives to keep them in farming and only by working alongside bodies such as the Planning Service will we maintain the flood of money being generated here in Ireland by the farming industry," he said.
Mr Pollock added: "I'm very hopeful the original decision will be reversed. I've invested a lot of money to get this off the ground and I just hope the Planning Service look favourably on my request."
