asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Northern Ireland draft planning policy statement of 16 March (PPS 14), Sustainable Development in the Countryside, defines any exception to the presumption against development in the countryside, particularly with regard to the needs of the severely mentally or physically handicapped. [HL550]

Draft PPS14 contains a number of policies that set out exceptions to the presumption against development. There is no exception in draft PPS14 to specifically meet the needs of persons with severe mental or physical impairment. However, Policy HOU 16 (House Extensions) of A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland has not been superseded by draft PPS14. This policy facilitates the provision of partially self-contained accommodation for elderly or dependent relatives as an alternative to a separate house in the countryside. It was felt that that was a more appropriate approach than building a new, separate dwelling.