Northern Ireland's countryside tonight became a no go area for planning applications to build random single houses.
The British government introduced new stringent planning restrictions which they hope will curb the number of bungalows which dot the province's landscape.
Under the new rules which are being implemented immediately even though a 12-week consultation has been launched, farming families and retired farmers would have the best hope of securing planning permission for new homes.
However the Department of Regional Development is intent on dramatically slashing the amount of homes given planning approval.
Northern Ireland Office minister Lord Rooker explained: "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."
While the move was welcomed by environmentalists today, farm leaders and politicians voiced fears about the impact of the new regulations.
Friends of the Earth backed the move, arguing it would protect the countryside from sewage pollution, unsustainable transport policies and maintain the tourist potential of rural areas.
Lisa Fagan of the organisation said: "No doubt there will be an outcry in response to today's announcement from farmers intent on selling sites for building but government must stand up for the public interest. "The current number of planning approvals is extravagant and unsustainable."
Ulster Farmers Union president Campbell Tweed expressed concern that the new planning regulations could stunt the development of rural communities and destabilise their economy.
"If, for example, Lord Rooker had announced that no more development was possible in Belfast, there would obviously be an outcry from the business community and developers," he said.
"Well, equally so we need new development in the rural economy to create jobs and sustain those communities who live outside urban towns or cities."