The toughest penalties in the UK, including jail, for those who flout planning laws are to be introduced in Northern Ireland, it has been announced.
"Spot-listing" to give immediate protection to buildings at risk of demolition, major increases in fines and a greater role for local councils are included in legislation by Northern Ireland junior minister Ms Angela Smith.
Fines for breaches of enforcement notices will rise by 600 per cent from £5,000 to £30,000 - greater than anywhere in Britain.
Those who demolish or alter a listed building without consent could be jailed for up to two years, she announced. The new laws are expected to come into force by the spring after the draft Planning (Amendment) (NI) Order 2003 is laid before Parliament on Monday week by the Minister.
Had such powers been in force last year the Department of the Environment would have been able to stop the much criticised demolition by a developer of the former Belfast home of Seamus Heaney.
The order, when approved, would take forward the provisions of two key bills which were under consideration by the Assembly prior to suspension.
Importantly, said Ms Smith, the order would enhance the Department of the Environment's (DoE's) planning enforcement powers and would enable enforcement action to be taken more quickly and effectively.
"For the first time the DOE will have spot-listing powers. These will allow us to move much more quickly when buildings are at risk.
"And for those who demolish or alter a listed building without consent, the courts will have imprisonment as an option," she said. It will be company bosses - those with the legal responsibility - who face time in a prison cell, said the Minister.