CHANGES in planning policy should pave the way for more sustainable tourism development, it has been claimed. Environment minister Alex Attwood said the Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 16 will create more opportunities for tourism and protect tourism assets from inappropriate development. Mr Attwood said an "exceptional circumstances" policy will allow unique proposals for a major tourism development project in the countryside, which will bring jobs and tourists to rural communities, can be approved. He said it was a "common-sense planning policy" which "aims to manage the provision of sustainable and high-quality tourism developments in appropriate locations within the built and natural environment". Geoffrey Chestnutt, chairman of Caravan and Camping Forum for Northern Ireland, said it was good news for the holiday parks industry.