The Borough of Carrickfergus is situated to the north east of the Plan Area along the shore of Belfast Lough. The Lough Shore location and magnificent backdrop of the Antrim Hills to the north and west provide an attractive landscape setting.
Carrickfergus Town is the main settlement within the Borough with Greenisland providing a focus to the south and the heritage Town of Whitehead to the north. The administrative Borough of Carrickfergus also incorporates part of the Contiguous Development Zone¹ hereafter referred to as Metropolitan Carrickfergus.

The population of Carrickfergus Borough in 2001 was 37,659, an increase of over 5000 people from the 1991 figure of 32,750 and average household size has decreased from 3.0 persons per household in 1991 to 2.52 in 2001. In 2001 there were 17,176 people employed in the Borough representing an employment rate of 94.9%. Of this total 76% were employed within the service sector, 16% in manufacturing and 5.9% in construction. The unemployment rate fell from 6.9% in 1991 to 3.9% in 2001.
The main transportation corridor within the Borough comprises the A2 and the Belfast-Whitehead/Carrickfergus rail line. Since the completion of the cross-harbour bridge and the opening of Great Victoria Street Station, there is direct access from Towns in the Borough to Belfast City Centre by rail. However, while the Borough is well provided for by public transport, most journeys are undertaken by private car. At present there is significant road congestion especially along the A2 carriageway (Shore Road) or the B90 (Upper Road) with traffic levels continually increasing due to the number of commuters travelling to Belfast. The increasing congestion especially at peak periods has adverse impacts on the environment, quality of life and the attractiveness of the Borough.

The Borough contains a variety of habitats including semi natural grasslands, woodlands, reservoirs, intertidal foreshore and areas of geological interest such as the Black Head Cliffs. Larne Lough and the shoreline of Belfast Lough are both classified as international Special Protection Areas (SPA’s) and Ramsar Sites. North Woodburn Glen, Larne Lough and Outer Belfast Lough have been declared as national Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI’s).

Throughout the Borough there is good access to the shore of Belfast Lough and the provision of a coastal path and the close proximity of the National Cycle Network offer additional opportunities for recreation and tourism. The coastline is a popular location for maritime pursuits including sailing, jet skiing and sea fishing. Meanwhile the countryside offers alternative opportunities for recreation and tourism including golf, angling and a number of scenic walks including part of the Ulster Way.

The Borough is dominated by Carrickfergus, an Anglo Norman town, which today is an important tourism centre based on its significant heritage interest including the medieval Castle, Town Wall and gates, which date from the twelfth century. Conservation Areas have been designated in Carrickfergus and Whitehead Town Centres. The Town fulfils an important residential and employment role.

Carrickfergus Town Centre has faced strong competition from Belfast and the Abbey Centre and the range of shops. A large proportion of the Boroughs population work outside of the Carrickfergus area and use the shopping and professional services of these work areas. As a result there have been a number of limited new services attracted to Carrickfergus Town and the footfall and environmental quality of the Town remain in need of improvement and general environmental needs to be further improved and strengthened to allow the Town Centre to flourish.

¹ See Glossary Appendix 5 for definition of the Contiguous Development Zone.