AQW 23576/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 01/10/2021
Answered On Date: 12/10/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether the ability to raise financing for housing was considered when compiling PPS 21 Planning Advice Note issued in August 2021.

Answer:

My Department issued the PAN following my assessment of a ‘Call for Evidence’ and an independent consultant’s report to inform the way forward for policy on development in the countryside. The ability of applicants to raise mortgage finance for dwellings approved under extant strategic planning policy, was raised through engagement on both pieces of the abovementioned work, in the context of occupancy conditions associated with dwellings where there are ‘personal and domestic circumstances’. I am also aware that the issue has been occasionally raised with the Department in respect of ‘dwellings on farms’ and in the context of shared access laneways.

As the PAN does not add to or change the fundamental approach of extant policy for development in the countryside, it does not, therefore, specifically address the issue of mortgage finance for housing. I have, however, written to UK Finance, a trade association for the UK banking and financial services sector, to reinforce the importance of its members taking full account of planning approvals when considering mortgage applications.