A reworked planning policy (PPS21) will retain a presumption against granting permission for new-builds and will continue to apply tight restrictions on how many houses can be built in rural settings.

But relaxations to certain elements of PPS14 will see a proportion of these applicants given the green light. However, a number will still fail to meet rigid criteria for planning permission.

Environment Minister Sammy Wilson, who presented the new policy document to his ministerial colleagues at the Executive meeting at Stormont Castle yesterday, had stated his desire to strike a balance between developing and protecting the countryside.

He will make a full statement on PPS21 to the Assembly early next week.

Quick movement now will allow the Planning Service to start dealing with a backlog of 2,000 applications for new-builds and replacement dwellings.

One area of relaxation is in terms of other residential builds – applicants will only be given the go-ahead if they are replacing an existing dwelling, converting a pre-standing non-domestic property, such as a school building or church, or if the development is associated with an approved agricultural diversification enterprise.

Farmers who wish to build new homes on their land will, however, be limited to one every 10 years. They will also have to prove the farm is fully operational.

The minister was tasked to draw up a new strategy after the existing PPS 14, which was introduced under direct rule ministers in 2006, was deemed unlawful by the High Court in October 2007.

The judicial review found that it had been taken forward by the wrong governmental department – Regional Development as opposed to Environment.

While PPS 14 was acclaimed by environmentalists for limiting builds, farmers and would-be home owners criticised it on the same grounds.