How strongly did Lisburn Borough Council raise certain matters, such as replacement buildings?
Mr Small: Lisburn council asked for clarification of what is meant by a replacement building. Article 68A(7) sets out what that means. It is not clear how we can make that more precise. Mr Poots: Does the rule apply only to dwellings, or does it apply to commercial and sporting premises as well? The policy is that if a dwelling is abandoned, for example if it is on a farm and used for storage of fodder or for housing cattle, it is no longer classed as a dwelling. Does the same apply to commercial activity, if, for example, an industrial shed is no longer in use? Can it be reclaimed for industrial use, despite the fact that it has been used for other purposes for several years? Mr Lambe: That is a detail of the way in which planning policy operates, rather than a provision of the Bill. The Department can look at the issue and try to respond to it. However, I am not sure how it relates to the provision in the Bill. Lisburn Borough Council said that the term “replacement building” must be
