Banbridge Newry & Mourne Plan 2015

Introduction: Plan Strategy

The Plan Strategy centres on the need to be in general conformity with the RDS and, in particular, the Spatial Development Strategy. A major thrust of this strategy is to promote more sustainable patterns of development based on: -

• a polycentric network of growth poles integrated with the transport corridors
  and incorporating enhanced public transport;
• compact urban forms;
• more housing within existing urban areas; and
• the sensible and sensitive use of the built heritage and the rural environment.

The Plan Strategy is to: -

• Sustain a living and working countryside whilst supporting the growth and regeneration of towns and villages and protecting from inappropriate development those areas that are vulnerable to development pressure or that are visually or environmentally sensitive, through rural Policy Area designations;
• Identify, define and designate, as appropriate, areas of conservation, archaeological, scientific, landscape or amenity importance or interest, within both the natural and built heritage of the Plan Area;
• Provide a settlement hierarchy, designate settlement development limits, zone land and designate policy areas that will:
  • facilitate allocation of housing growth potential in accordance with the RDS, through a sequential approach, in support of urban renaissance and conservation of town settings and greenfield lands, by maximising the proportion of that growth within existing urban areas;
  • facilitate a level of housing development in each designated settlement that is in accordance with the approach set out in the RDS regarding assessment of individual settlement capacity and any identified special housing needs; and
  • facilitate a level of growth in Newry City and the eight towns in the Plan Area at a level which is commensurate with their role and status and with reference to the RDS.
• Establish key site requirements, as appropriate, against which particular site development proposals will be assessed, in order to help achieve good quality development, to respect environmental assets and to facilitate the development of balanced communities in accordance with the strategic requirements of the RDS;
• Designate additional industrial land to make provision for an adequate supply and choice of sites for employment uses that takes account of accessibility to major transport routes and the provisions of the RDS, including the proximity to the district population, particularly in areas of economic and social deprivation;
• Identify, define, designate and safeguard, as appropriate, specific areas where the retention of, or provision of, additional retail, services, recreational and other community facilities will positively contribute to the amenity and well being of the population, subject to prevailing regional planning policy; and
• Define, as appropriate, transportation related proposals, in accordance with the RTS, that are intended to facilitate the improved flow of vehicular traffic, whilst promoting a reduction in car travel and the use of alternative modes of travel.

The Plan will implement this Strategy through the Plan Proposals that are in accordance with, and also complement, the Department's regional planning policies.

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