THE COUNTRYSIDE

Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCIs)

The following SLNCIs CR 02/01 – CR 02/10 are designated as identified on Map No. 1 – Castlereagh Countryside and clarification Map Nos. 8a – 8j.
 

Designation CR 02 Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance ( SLNCIs)

The following Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance are designated in the locations identified on Map No 1 - Castlereagh Countryside and clarification Map No. 8a – 8j: CR 02/01 Gransha Fen CR 02/02 Hillsborough Road wetlands and scrub CR 02/03 Interlaken CR 02/04 Killynure Road CR 02/05 Knockbrecken Glen CR 02/06 Lower Braniel Road CR 02/07 Mill Road Quarry CR 02/08 Monlough CR 02/09 Monlough Road West Fen and Wetlands CR 02/10 Yate’s Corner (Geodiversity)

SLNCIs are designated in accordance with Planning Policy Statement 2 Planning and Nature Conservation. Sites are identified on the basis of their flora, fauna or earth science interest. Detailed descriptions of their characteristics are provided in the Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement.

SLNCIs are also designated as Areas of Constraint on Mineral Development under Designation CR07. Policy for the Control of development within SLNCIs is contained in
Policy ENV 2 in Part 3, Volume 1 of the Plan.

Green Belt

The BMA Green Belt is designated under Designation COU 1 as set out in Part 3, Volume 1 of the Plan and as identified on Map No. 1 – Castlereagh Countryside.

The BMA Green Belt which applies to Castlereagh covers all rural areas outside the designated Metropolitan Development Limit and the Settlement Development Limits.

Part of the former ‘Whitelands’ at Purdysburn, as identified in the BUAP Plan 2001 are designated as BMA Green Belt.

Proposals for development within the Green Belt will be considered in accordance with prevailing regional policy currently contained in the Rural Strategy and the Plan Proposals.

Rural Landscape Wedges

The following Rural Landscape Wedges CR 03 – CR 06 are designated as identified on Map No. 1 - Castlereagh Countryside.

All applications in these areas will be determined in accordance with prevailing regional policy currently contained in the Rural Strategy, Policy COU 2 and, where applicable, Policy ENV 2 and Policy ENV 3, as contained in Part 3, Volume 1 of the Plan.
 

Designation CR 03 Rural Landscape Wedge Carryduff

A Rural Landscape Wedge is designated between Cairnshill, Metropolitan Castlereagh and Carryduff as identified on Map No. 1 - Castlereagh Countryside.

The designated Rural Landscape Wedge will:

• Distinguish and maintain the separate identities of Cairnshill, Metropolitan Castlereagh and Carryduff by acting as a visual buffer so each area can maintain its own distinctive identity;
   

• Prevent the merging of the two communities of Metropolitan Castlereagh and Carryduff;
   

• Define and protect the setting of Metropolitan Castlereagh and Carryduff; and
   

• Maintain the rural character of the countryside.

The wedge is mainly agricultural and the western part of the wedge, which consists of the Castlereagh Slopes, is designated as an Area of High Scenic Value. The eastern portion of the wedge is identified as an additional Area of Constraint on Mineral Development due to its inherent landscape quality.

A Site of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCI) is designated within the wedge due to its significant biodiversity role within the area. This is located west of the Saintfield Road.
 

Designation CR 04 Rural Landscape Wedge Glencregagh

A Rural Landscape Wedge is designated at Glencregagh between East Belfast and Castlereagh as identified on plan Map No. 1 - Castlereagh Countryside.

The designated Rural Landscape Wedge will:

• Prevent the merging of the two urban areas by maintaining a strategic belt of countryside which acts as a visual break between the two city communities;
   

• Define and protect the setting of the Metropolitan Castlereagh;
   

• Maintain the rural character of the countryside.

The wedge breaks up the mass of housing in the area and provides valuable recreation and amenity space for those who live there. Though part of the wedge has an important amenity role, the predominant use is for agricultural purposes.

The wedge includes the Castlereagh Escarpment, which is designated both as an Area of High Scenic Value in recognition of its high quality landscapes and as an Area of Constraint on Mineral Development. In addition, the area to the west of the wedge is designated as a Local Landscape Policy Area.

The site has an important biodiversity role to play and contains two Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance. Forster Green Hospital SLNCI is situated to the west of the Wedge and Cregagh Glen SLNCI is to the east.
 

Designation CR 05 Rural Landscape Wedge Newtownards

A Rural Landscape Wedge is designated between Dundonald and the Plan Area boundary as identified on Map No. 1 - Castlereagh Countryside.

The designated Rural Landscape Wedge will:

• Distinguish and maintain the identity of Dundonald;
   

• Define and protect the setting of both Dundonald and Newtownards to the west of the Metropolitan Area so that their respective identities are preserved and enhanced ; and
   

• Maintain the rural character of the countryside.

This area provides a visual buffer between Dundonald and development around Newtownards so each urban area can maintain its own distinctive identity. The wedge is primarily agricultural and provides valuable open space and amenity for the residents of the urban areas.
 

Designation CR 06 Rural Landscape Wedge Comber

A Rural Landscape Wedge is designated between Dundonald and the Plan Area Boundary as identified on Map No. 1 - Castlereagh Countryside.

The designated Rural Landscape Wedge will:

• Distinguish and maintain the identity of Dundonald;
   

• Define and protect the setting of Dundonald and Comber to the south east of the Metropolitan Area so that their respective identities are preserved and enhanced; and
   

• Maintain the rural character of the countryside. The southern section of the wedge is predominantly agricultural.

The northern section has a significant recreation and amenity role and contains the Billy Neill MBE Soccer Centre of Excellence.

The north western boundary of the wedge is formed by the Castlereagh Escarpment, which is designated as an Area of High Scenic Value and an Area of Constraint on Mineral Developments.

Areas of High Scenic Value

Areas of High Scenic Value (AoHSV) are designated under Designation COU 6/07, 6/08 and 6/09 in Part 3, Volume 1 of the Plan. The areas are identified on Map No. 1 - Castlereagh Countryside and on clarification Map No. 7 – Craigantlet Escarpment Area of High Scenic Value (Parts 1 –3, Volume 1) which shows the full extent of the designation across council boundaries.

Policy for control of development in Areas of High Scenic Value is contained in Policy COU 7 in Part 3, Volume 1 of the Plan.

Castlereagh Slopes

The distinctive landform of the Castlereagh Slopes was identified in the Northern Ireland Landscape Character Assessment as an area of scenic quality and is designated in the Plan as an Area of High Scenic Value. Stretching from the eastern fringe of Lisburn to Carryduff, the slopes are characterised by predominantly good quality land and rolling landform. Large fields, bounded by hedgerows dominate the lower slopes, with smaller fields on the upper slopes. The Slopes are traversed by narrow winding roads that link the ridge-tops with the edges of Belfast. This rural landscape is easily accessible to Belfast and Lisburn which has led to an increase in demand for housing, especially along the main roads.

Castlereagh Escarpment

The Castlereagh Escarpment was identified in the Northern Ireland Landscape Character Assessment as an area of scenic quality and is designated in the Plan as an Area of High Scenic Value. The escarpment stretches from Cairnshill in south east Belfast to the Comber Road in Dundonald. The prominent ridge has a smooth rolling landform and a steep gradient. It averages approximately 130m in height but reaches an approximate height of 170m at Braniel Hill. It is deeply dissected by steep glens which are generally well wooded. Within each glen, lines of mature specimen trees border the roads. The broad slopes of the ridge are divided into a patchwork of undulating pastures and hedgerows with the entire ridge prominent in views from the lowland forming the backdrop to Castlereagh and south east Belfast.

Craigantlet Escarpment

 The unique landform of Craigantlet Escarpment was identified in the Northern Ireland Landscape Character Assessment as an area of scenic quality and is designated in the Plan as an Area of High Scenic Value. The Escarpment is a prominent ridge stretching from East Belfast to Holywood. The proximity to the urban area, coupled with easy accessibility makes the escarpment an important recreational resource. It retains a relatively undeveloped character, in part a result of the undulating landform but also due to the tree and hedgerows which have helped to integrate dwellings into the landscape.

These areas lie within the BMA Green Belt and are also identified as Areas of Constraint on Mineral Development in recognition of the damaging effects that mineral development would have on their scenic quality.

Areas of Constraint on Mineral Development

The following sites are designated as Areas of Constraint on Mineral Development as identified on Map No. 1 -Castlereagh Countryside and clarification Map Nos 8a – 8j.
 

Designation CR 07 Areas of Constraint on Mineral Development.

Areas of Constraint on Mineral Development are designated as identified on Map No. 1- Castlereagh Countryside and SLINCI clarification Map No.s 2c – 2q, 3c, and 8a – 8j at the following locations: • The Craigantlet Escarpment AOHSV • The Castlereagh Escarpment AOHSV • The Castlereagh Slopes AOHSV • Area below Cairnshill east of the Saintfield Road towards Carryduff • The Lagan Valley Regional Park • Craigantlet Woods ASSI • All SLNCI’s as identified at designations MCH 32/01 – MCH 32/15, CF 14/01 and CR02/01 – CR02/10.

By their nature, scale, location and duration of operation, mineral developments frequently impact more severely on the environment than any other form of development. They can damage or destroy sites of nature conservation or earth science value or sites of historic or archaeological interest. They can also have a significant visual impact on the landscape and an adverse effect on the amenity of people nearby.

Areas of Constraint on Mineral Developments are identified in order to safeguard the most valuable and vulnerable areas of the environment within the district from the detrimental effects of mineral extraction. Their identification has taken account of nature conservation interest, the archaeological and built heritage, landscape quality and character, visual prominence, amenity value and geological / geomorphological interest.

In view of their scientific importance all Wildlife Refuges, Areas of Special Scientific Interest, Areas of Scientific Interest, Ramsar sites and Special Protection Areas are designated as Areas of Constraint on Mineral Developments.

Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance are designated as Areas of Constraint on mineral developments as are identified on maps nos. 9a – 9j SLNCIs.

Proposals for the development of mineral resources will be determined in accordance with prevailing regional planning policy, currently set out in policy MIN 3 of the Rural Strategy and in addition Policy COU 8 in Part 3, Volume 1 of the Plan.

The Lagan Valley Regional Park

Parts of Lagan Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Lagan Valley Regional Park lie within the District. Most parts of the Park are amenity parklands such as Clement Wilson Park and Belvoir Forest Park. The area has a landscape character shaped by historic design, mature woodlands and grasslands diversity. It became an attractive location for the early industrialists of the Belfast area whose successors built large houses and created distinctive planted demesnes.

The entire Park is designated as an Area of Constraint on Mineral Development as set out in Designation CR 07 of the Plan.

An assessment of the character of the Park is contained in the Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement.

The following nodes CR 08-CR 09 are designated as Lagan Valley Regional Park nodes as identified on Map No.1 – Castlereagh Countryside.

Nodes are identified, based on an existing focus of activity within which it is considered appropriate to locate recreational, tourist, interpretative or educational facilities which are appropriate to the particular character of that area of the Park to provide for the requirements of visitors. Within designated nodes favourable consideration will be given to the provision of seating, picnic areas, lighting, signage, public art, footbridges, pathways and viewpoints of an appropriate scale and location provided they visually integrate into the Park. No development will be permitted which would prejudice the future reopening of the Lagan Navigation.

Policy for the control of development within designated Lagan Valley Regional Park Nodes is contained in COU 14 in Part 3, Volume 1 of the Plan.
 

Designation CR 08 Lagan Valley Regional Park Node Belvoir Education Centre

A Lagan Valley Regional Park Node is designated at Belvoir Education Centre as identified on Map No. 1 – Castlereagh Countryside and clarification Map no. 9l – Belvoir Education Centre – Lagan Valley Regional Park Node Key Site Requirements: A site analysis and comprehensive landscaping scheme shall be submitted with any planning application and shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department that the proposed development does not have a detrimental impact on amenity, character, nature or landscape value and shall indicate how critical views and heritage features are to be protected and incorporated into the proposed development. The landscaping scheme shall indicate all of the following: All existing trees, shrubs and hedgerows within the site and on the boundaries shall be retained unless the Department determines that such vegetation is not of a quality to merit retention or is required to be removed to facilitate a safe means of access to the site. Where existing vegetation is retained as agreed by the Department it shall be supplemented by the planting of trees and planting of appropriate native species in order to provide screening for the development and facilitate its integration into the landscape setting; and A detailed planting plan and programme of works for all new vegetation in relation to boundary definition and additional high quality landscaping proposals within the site. Positive long term landscape management proposals shall be required to mitigate and integrate any development, and to protect and maintain the landscaping on the site. An Article 40 Agreement may be required to ensure delivery of this in accordance with the Department’s requirements.   The steep slopes along the northern boundary of the site shall be stabilised by the planting of appropriate natural species, to promote biodiversity interest, ensure a definitive natural boundary between the built development and the rest of the Park and to enhance the setting of the built environment from within and adjacent to the site.   The existing buildings shall be retained and all development on the site shall be in keeping with the traditional style and design to preserve their special character. Minor extensions or small scale new built development shall be associated with the existing built development, shall retain the character of the existing buildings and the courtyard layout.   A full flora and fauna survey of the site shall be carried out to inform proposals.

The appropriate development of this site will build on the services provided in the existing building and consolidate its education and amenity role. Development of refreshment facilities could be enhanced to improve facilities for visitors.

However all development proposals will be assessed in the context of its location within the Historic Park, Garden and Demesne and its constituent quality woodland. Development will not be permitted which would cause harm to these native species or to the established parkland and historic character of the area.

Water Service, DOE has a pipe laying scheme at appraisal stage which may affect the site.

The site is adjacent to a SLNCI and lies within the Belvoir Park Historic Park, Garden and Demesne.
 

Designation CR09 Lagan Valley Regional Park Node Belvoir Activity Centre

A Lagan Valley Regional Park Node is designated at Belvoir Activity Centre as identified on Map No. 1 – Castlereagh Countryside and clarification Map no. 9k – Belvoir Activity Centre – Lagan Valley Regional Park Node Key Site Requirements: A site analysis and comprehensive landscaping scheme shall be submitted with any planning application and shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department that the proposed development does not have a detrimental impact on amenity, character, nature or landscape value and shall indicate how critical views and heritage features are to be protected and incorporated into the proposed development. The landscaping scheme shall indicate all of the following: All existing trees, shrubs and hedgerows within the site and on the boundaries shall be retained unless the Department determines that such vegetation is not of a quality to merit retention or is required to be removed to facilitate a safe means of access to the site. Where existing vegetation is retained as agreed by the Department it shall be supplemented by the planting of trees and planting of appropriate native species in order to provide screening for the development and facilitate its integration into the landscape setting; and A detailed planting plan and programme of works for all new vegetation in relation to boundary definition and additional high quality landscaping proposals within the site. Positive long term landscape management proposals shall be required to mitigate and integrate any development, and to protect and maintain the landscaping on the site. An Article 40 Agreement may be required to ensure delivery of this in accordance with the Department’s requirements.   Minor extensions or small scale new development shall be a maximum height of 8 metres.

Future development of this site will enhance the accessibility of the Park and contribute to greater circulation within the its constituent areas. This part of the Park is a major area for outdoor recreation and activities, where considerable progress has been made already in creating the BMX track, sports pitches and centres for the arts. Further development for sport and the enhancement of existing recreation facilities are considered appropriate at this location.

The site is situated adjacent to Belvoir Park Historic Park, Garden and Demesne and a SLNCI.

An existing combined trunk sewer is located within the site. Detailed consultation with Water Service, DRD will be required.

An existing culvert runs through the site. Detailed Consultation with Rivers Agency, DARD will be required.

An assessment of the character of the Park is contained in the Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement.

Community Facilities

Castlereagh Borough Council propose to develop a new community facility at Manse Road to serve the Four Winds area.