METROPOLITAN CASTLEREAGH

Castlereagh Borough Council own and manage a large variety of open space, sport and outdoor recreational areas. This includes various football and hockey pitches at Craigleith, Moat Park, Cairnshill and Hydebank as well as the Billy Neill MBE Soccer Centre of Excellence and at the Henry Jones Memorial. The Council also own Gilnahirk Golf Course.

There are a number of private golf courses, rugby pitches owned by Cooke Rugby Club and grass football pitches owned by the Boys Brigade. There are also a number of private playing fields within the educational sector in Metropolitan Castlereagh.

There are a number of parks, playgrounds and walkways at various locations within Metropolitan Castlereagh, including Cregagh Green and Colby Park and the NIHE own and maintain a number of grassed areas of open space.

Areas of existing open space above 1 hectare are listed below and identified for information only on Map No. 2a - Metropolitan Castlereagh. Details of these and smaller areas of open space below 1 hectare are contained in the Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation Technical Supplement.

Policy for the protection of open space is contained in PPS 8 Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation.

Policy 0S 1, of PPS 8, will apply to all areas of existing open space whether or not they are indicated in the Plan Proposals Map for information.

Existing Outdoor Sport and Children’s Playing Space

Existing Outdoor Sports Facilities Within the Educational Sector

Other Public Open Space Provision

The Department has taken advice from Castlereagh Borough Council as the
statutory provider of open space. They have not indicated any open space
proposals other than open space in association with the leisure development as previously approved at appeal at the Dundonald Leisure Park (Ref MCH 27
Dundonald Leisure Park).

Community Greenways

The Plan Proposals promote the concept of Community Greenways, which seek to re-establish corridor links between parks and natural areas to create a network of urban open space. Community Greenways provide places for both recreation and exercise alongside opportunities for pedestrian and cycle routes as well as wildlife habitats. Both publicly owned open space and private lands are included.

Further details and descriptions of each designated Community Greenway are contained in the Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation Technical Supplement.

Policy for the control of development within a designated Community Greenway is contained in Policy OS 2 as set out in Part 3, Volume 1 of the Plan.

Odyssey / Tullycarnet Park Community Greenway

Part of Odyssey / Tullycarnet Park Community Greenway falls within Castlereagh District but is designated within the Belfast Community Greenways section (See Volume 2 Belfast District Proposals - Odyssey / Tullycarnet Park Community Greenway).