The Council ChamberLanyon Building

Queen’s University Belfast

3rd December 2004

Organised by the

School of Environmental PlanningQueen’s University Belfasthttp://www.qub.ac.uk/ep/

in association with theRural Community Network

under the auspices ofStrategic Planning Action Network

http://www.qub.ac.uk/ep/research/span/span.html

SINGLE DWELLINGS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE – INFORMING THE DEBATEFriday 3rd December 2004

The Council Chamber, Lanyon Building, Queen’s University, Belfast 

The issue of single dwellings in the countryside has given rise to heated debate in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. At a time when new policy directions are being formulated in both jurisdictions it would seem timely to take stock of stakeholder viewpoints. This one day conference convened by the School of Environmental Planning at Queen’s, in association with Rural Community Network, under the auspices of the INTERREG funded Strategic Planning Action Network

(SPAN), is designed to provide a platform for listening and discussion around one of the most contentious topics in contemporary spatial planning in Ireland.

9.00

9.30

9.40 – 11.00

11.00 – 11.30

11.30 – 12.30

12.30 – 2.00

Registration

Welcome and IntroductionDr Michael MurraySchool of Environmental Planning, Queen’s University Belfast

Session One: The policy-making contextChair: Dr Stephen McKaySchool of Environmental Planning, Queen’s University Belfast

Recent housing trends in rural IrelandMs Karen Keaveney and Professor Jim WalshNUI Maynooth

The background to and contribution of Planning Policy Statement 14:Sustainable Development in the CountrysideMr John CumminsDepartment for Regional Development, Belfast

The Draft Guidelines on Sustainable Rural HousingMr Niall CussenDepartment of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin

Morning Coffee in the Canada Room

Session Two: Design and landscape considerationsChair: Professor Malachy McEldowneySchool of Environmental Planning, Queen’s University

The need for a design perspective on the development of countryside dwellingsDr Ken Sterrett School of Environmental Planning, Queen’s University

Countryside dwellings - the need for a landscape conservation andsustainable development perspective”Mr Geoff NuttallThe National Trust

Buffet lunch in the Canada Roomand optional visit to the “Day of the Dead” exhibition in the Naughton Gallery

2.00 – 3.15

3.15 – 3.45

3.45 – 4.30

4.30 – 4.45

Session Three: The rural community perspectiveChair: Mr John GreerSchool of Environmental Planning, Queen’s University

Positive planning for rural houses: seeking radical changesin rural planning policyMr Jim ConnollyIrish Rural Dwellers Association

Sustaining rural communities in Northern IrelandMr Gareth HarperRural Community Network

Afternoon Tea in the Canada Room

Session Four: Towards policy coherence Chair: Dr Brendan MurtaghSchool of Environmental Planning, Queen’s University

Connecting rural dwellings and rural developmentDr Mark ScottDepartment of Planning and Environmental Policy, UCD

Concluding comments