Northern Ireland Planning Minister Lord Jeff Rooker has published proposals to restrict building in Northern Ireland's countryside.

Under the policy, there will be a presumption against development in the countryside, with a limited number of exceptions to meet the needs of the rural community, including farmers.

The minister was speaking at the launch of the draft Planning Policy Statement (PPS 14) which proposes stricter planning policies for rural areas as current levels of rural planning approval in Northern Ireland are unsustainable.

The minister, speaking on behalf of his colleague Shaun Woodward the minister for Regional Development, said: "PPS 14 is designed to protect one of Northern Ireland's greatest assets, its countryside. At present the numbers of rural planning approvals here are three times the combined total in England, Scotland and Wales."

"In 2004/05 alone there were 9,520 approvals for new dwellings. Indications are that the 2005/06 figure will be well over 12,000. That's equivalent to a town the size of Ballymena being built and is five times the level of just over a decade ago."

Lord Rooker said even though the policy statement is under a 12-week consultation exercise it would take precedent for all new applications. This is designed to prevent the planning service being swamped with applications during the consultation period, he said.

Policies to protect and support rural communities are included. There are supportive policies for retiring farmers, farm workers, farm diversification and a new policy for social housing in the countryside.

There are concerns about water quality caused by the increased use of septic tanks and the present level of approvals increases traffic levels and pollution on rural roads.

Lord Rooker said, "The countryside is one of Northern Ireland's greatest assets. It is in everyone's interests to protect it. The current level of development in the countryside threatens the rural landscape."