The character of the countryside throughout the Borough, its landscapes, biodiversity and heritage are detailed in the Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement. This includes an analysis of development pressure which along with the RDS, the Rural Strategy and NI Character Assessment 2000 has informed proposals for the designation of Green Belt in order to meet the strategic objectives of these policies.

The Carrickfergus shoreline links Newtownabbey with Carrickfergus and the Town of Whitehead in the distinctive peninsula landscape of the Island Magee Area of High Scenic Value. Carrickfergus Borough contains a range of landscapes and is dominated by the rocky escarpment which rises steeply from the shoreline, creating a backdrop to Carrickfergus (Carrickfergus Escarpment) to the west. The escarpment leads to marginal pasture land and commercial forests to the north.

There are approximately 900 hectares of Woodland in the Borough, the main area being Woodburn Forest, which is managed by the Forest Service on a multiple use basis. Woodburn Forest (See Appendix Map No. 22 – Area of Major Outdoor Recreation in the Countryside) is centred around the Woodburn Reservoirs but has outliers at Lough Mourne and Copeland Reservoir. The Woodburn Reservoirs, which are located approximately 3-5km from the centre of Carrickfergus, in addition to its water supply role, offer opportunities for recreation, education and conservation orientated activities.

Aspects of the rural economy are outlined under Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing in the Countryside section of Part 3 of the Plan.


Regional Policy Context

The overall aim of the Spatial Development Strategy in the RDS, in relation to Rural Northern Ireland, is to develop an attractive and prosperous rural area. This is based on a balanced and integrated approach to the development of town, village and countryside, in order to sustain a strong and vibrant rural community.

The RDS includes a number of Strategic Planning Guidelines that focus on conserving the natural environment, including the use of various designations to protect valued landscapes and the use of Green Belts to control development in areas under pressure. The RDS indicates the approximate extent of a strategic Green Belt around the BMA, with the precise delineation to be considered in the context of the relevant development plan. The objectives of Green Belt designation, and the prevailing policies for the control of development within Green Belts are currently contained in the Rural Strategy.

Transportation

A portion of the Carrickfergus Spine Road is identified on Map No.1 – Carrickfergus Countryside and is designated under designation CS 13/01. This section will provide a link between Sloefield Road and the proposed section of the Spine Road within Carrickfergus to the west of Woodburn Road (See Map No.3a – Carrickfergus) with the overall aim of relieving traffic to Carrickfergus Town Centre and improving access to the B90.