AQW 50681/11-16

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 10/11/2015
Answered On Date: 25/11/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for her Department's definition of a rural village, including the maximum population size and proximity to an urban centre.

Answer:

For the purposes of the NIRDP, rural areas are defined as all those areas identified outside the statutory development limits of those towns and settlements with a population in excess of 5,000 inhabitants. To allow for a more flexible approach my Department does not apply any further definitions below 5,000. This can be further defined by Local Action Groups if they wish, however they must provide a rationale within their Local Rural Development Strategy to support this. Where the thirty miles per speed limit starts is used to define where the boundary of any settlement starts.