RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE DRAFT SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING GUIDANCE TO PPS21: “BUILDING ON TRADITION, A SUSTAINABLE DESIGN GUIDE FOR THE NORTHERN IRELAND COUNTRYSIDE”Ministerial Advisory Group for Architecture and the BUilt Environment (MAG)

The paper provides an overview of the MAG's involvement in the preparation of the Design Guide, followed by a critique of the draft Design Guide itself. MAG concludes that the intention of the draft Design Guide must be reviewed. If it concerns only visual considerations, then with some considerable overhaul, it has the potential to do its job. If it is about sustainability relating to design principles in the countryside (as per the Specification to which it must adhere), then it is lacking. The extent of the MAG team’s commentary on the draft Design Guide, together with its departures from the Specification, the guidance provided initially by MAG Chair Professor Barrie Todd and latterly the commentary by successor MAG Chair Arthur Acheson leaves the MAG with grave concerns about the overall efficacy of the Design Guide if it were to be published without revisions