UUP urges changes in rural housing rules

Mr Robert Carmichael, the East Londonderry Ulster Unionist Party Association Chairman, has said the Stormont Executive needs to relax rural housing rules throughout the constituency to make homes more affordable for young couples and first-time buyers.

   Mr Carmichael, speaking on behalf of the UUP association, added: “The Executive must recognise the unique nature of our East Londonderry constituency, that it is an overwhelmingly rural region. 

   “However, the sad reality is that the price of rural housing has rocketed in recent years to the extent it is placing exceptionally heavy financial burdens on young couples and first-time buyers trying to secure homes in rural localities.

   “The situation is made worse in cash terms with the rising costs of mortgages, even for people wanting to move to their second home. 

   “In practical terms, it is necessary for the power-sharing Executive to radically reduce the affordability gap for young East Londonderry constituents so they can get on the first rungs of the rural property ladder. 

   “The present affordability gap is putting many homes in rural areas well outside the financial reach of young couples. Like the so-called ‘brain drain’ in higher education places, we do not want to see a situation where young people are having to leave our constituency simply to find affordable housing. 

   “The hard fact is that while we were governed by Direct Rule from Westminster, the perception was that Northern Ireland Office Ministers were slow to order any relaxations in the specific PPS14 housing restrictions. 

   “The major advantage of having a fully devolved legislative parliament at Stormont is that it can implement relaxations in the housing restrictions to allow our young constituents to get onto the housing market ladder.

   “Likewise, we as a UUP association also call for a similar relaxation in rules governing the renovations of existing dwellings, especially in rural localities as a further measure to help people on the housing ladder. 

   “We strongly urge the Housing Executive to address these issues when it is preparing any future rural policy for the constituency,” said Mr Carmichael.