Banbridge Newry & Mourne Plan 2015

Strategic Plan Framework: Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation

The provision of open space, sport and outdoor recreation facilities in the Plan Area is the statutory responsibility of Banbridge and Newry and Mourne District Councils. These facilities include playing fields, parks, picnic areas and children's play areas. The Councils are also responsible for proposals for future provision for open space, sport and outdoor recreation.

Other public agencies such as DARD, DOE, the Sports Council for Northern Ireland and NIHE also provide and manage a variety of publicly accessible outdoor recreation facilities and open spaces.

Various private organisations also provide sports and outdoor recreational facilities i.e. bowling, tennis, hockey, gaelic football, golf, soccer and rugby. Some school playing fields may be available for public use outside school hours; such dual use may be in the wider community interest.

The natural resources of both council areas provide numerous opportunities for open space, sports and outdoor recreational activities. These include Scarva Park, Corbet Lough, Camlough Lough, Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Kilbroney Forest Park, Silent Valley, Spelga Dam, Newry Canal and Tow Path, and part of the County Down coast. Other natural resources within the Plan Area such as Slieve Croob, the Dromara Hills and Castlewellan Forest Park, cross over into adjoining council areas.

Regional Policy Context

The RDS promotes the link between environment, health and well being, placing an emphasis on supporting healthy lifestyles and the promotion of health in the community. It provides the following SPGs:

• to create healthier living environments and to support healthy lifestyles (SPG-ENV 6); and
• to facilitate access to a range of opportunities for recreational and cultural activities (SPG-ENV 7).

Within this context, the RDS encourages the protection and enhancement of open spaces and playing facilities for the long term benefit of the whole community. The value to health and well being of 'greenery' including woodlands and landscapes is also recognised.

PPS 8 - Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation sets out the relevant prevailing regional planning policies. This PPS includes policies on the protection of existing open space, the provision of public open space in new residential development, the development of proposals for outdoor recreational use in the countryside and the development of intensive sports facilities.

PPS 7 - Quality Residential Environments requires developers to make adequate provision for public open space and landscaped areas as an integral part of a residential development.

Existing and Proposed Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation

Major areas of existing open space, sport and outdoor recreation are identified for information purposes only in Volumes 2 and 3 of the Plan. These areas and any other areas of existing open space, sport and outdoor recreation are safeguarded under Policy OS 1 in PPS 8 - Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation.

An assessment of existing open space, sport and outdoor recreation provision has been undertaken as part of the plan preparation process. More detailed information can be found in the Open Space, Sport, and Outdoor Recreation Technical Supplement.

Some open spaces and recreation areas are also designated as Local Landscape Policy Areas (LLPAs) and/or Historic Parks, Gardens and Demesnes and will also be subject to Policy CVN 4 of the Plan and to PPS 6 - Planning Archaeology and the Built Heritage.

Proposals for providing/safeguarding additional land for open space, sport and outdoor recreation within settlement development limits are identified in Volumes 2 and 3 of the Plan.

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