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Policy Framework

THE COUNTRYSIDE
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The character of the countryside throughout the District, its landscapes, biodiversity and heritage are detailed in the Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement and aspects of the rural economy are outlined under Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing in Part 2 of the Plan.

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AND DEVELOPMENT PRESSURE

The Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement includes an analysis of development pressure throughout the countryside. That analysis together with the Regional Development Strategy (RDS) the Rural Strategy and the

N.I. Character Assessment 2000 has informed proposals for the designation of Green Belts and Countryside Policy Areas in order to meet the strategic objectives of these policies.

REGIONAL POLICY CONTEXT

The overall aim of the Spatial Development Strategy in the RDS in relation to Rural Northern Ireland is to develop an attractive and prosperous rural area, based on a balanced and integrated approach to the development of town, village and countryside, in order to sustain a strong and vibrant rural community, contributing to the overall well being of the region as a whole.

Measures outlined in the RDS to create and sustain an attractive rural environment include, designating Countryside Policy Areas to protect valued landscapes, and by controlling development in areas under pressure for development by means of Green Belt designation. The objectives of Green Belt and Countryside Policy Area designation and the prevailing policies for the control of development within those designations are currently contained in the Rural Strategy.

Green Belts

In the context of the RDS, the Rural Strategy, the Northern Ireland Landscape Character Assessment 2000 and analysis of existing and potential development pressure, the Department considers Green Belt designation around Magherafelt to be justified. This justification arises from the need for the Department to exercise control over new development in order to meet the objectives of regional planning policy and specifically the strategic objectives of Green Belts, as set out in Policy GB/CPA 1 of the Rural Strategy. Details of the pressure analysis findings and the detailed justification of the outer edge of the Green Belt are contained in the Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement.

The Department considers that the existing Green Belt around Magherafelt has provided an effective control over development within this rural area. It is considered appropriate and necessary to maintain strict planning control in this area where development pressure is likely to be greatest. Accordingly, apart from the exception detailed below, the Green Belt has been designated to generally accord with the previous boundaries. Some adjustments, mostly of a minor nature, have been made to align the boundary with defined physical features on the ground.

The area where the previous Green Belt designation is significantly extended is to the east and north east of the previous Magherafelt Green Belt. This area is shown by the development pressure analysis to experience ongoing pressure for development. It is anticipated that this pressure is likely to increase over the Plan period given improved accessibility to the east of Northern Ireland which will be facilitated by the Toome by-pass. The potential for increased employment created by INI investment at Creagh, coupled with the provision in the Plan for significant additional zoning for industry at Magherafelt and Creagh, is also likely to exert increased development pressure in this area. Accordingly, it is considered appropriate to extend the Green Belt in this area in order to fulfil the objectives of regional planning policy pertaining to Green Belts.

The boundaries of the outer edge of this Green Belt are drawn to coincide with physical features on the ground.

Development proposals within the designated Green Belt will be determined in accordance with prevailing regional planning policy.

The Department considers that the existing Green Belt around Maghera has provided an effective control over development within this rural area. It is considered appropriate and necessary to maintain strict planning control in this area where development pressure is likely to be greatest. Accordingly, apart from the exception detailed below, the Green Belt has been designated to generally accord with the previous boundaries. Some adjustments, mostly of a minor nature, have been made to align the boundary with defined physical features on the ground.

The area where the previous Green Belt designation is significantly extended is to the south and south-east of the previous Maghera Green Belt. This is considered appropriate in order to afford protection to the setting of the town, to safeguard the surrounding countryside and to prevent coalescence with the village of Tobermore to the south.

The boundaries of the outer edge of this Green Belt are drawn to coincide with physical features on the ground.

Development proposals within the designated Green Belt will be determined in accordance with prevailing regional planning policy.

Countryside Policy Areas (CPAs)

In the context of the RDS, the Rural Strategy, the Northern Ireland Landscape Character Assessment 2000 and analysis of existing and potential development pressure, the Department considers the two Countryside Policy Area designations to be justified. This justification arises from the need for the Department to exercise control over new development in order to meet the objectives of regional planning policy and specifically the strategic objectives of Countryside Policy Areas, as set out in Policy GB/CPA 1 of the Rural Strategy. Details of the pressure analysis findings and the detailed justification of the CPA are contained in the Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement.

The Sperrin CPA includes that portion of the Sperrins AONB which falls within the District. Generally, this includes the entire western fringe of the District, together with the southern fringe as far east as Slieve Gallion. The CPA also includes the lower slopes of Slieve Gallion, which are outside the AONB but included within the Area of High Scenic Value (designated on the basis of the Northern Ireland Landscape Character Assessment 2000), and an area to the west of the Maghera Green Belt which lies outside of the AONB.

This is an extensive upland area which is important not only for its scenic quality, but also for its nature conservation and archaeological interests. The rural character of the area remains relatively intact although the development pressure analysis has revealed significant development pressure to the west of the Maghera Green Belt, particularly at Fallagloon on the A6 and along Ranaghan Road to the north of the A6 Relatively small elements in the landscape, such as electricity lines or single dwellings, are often visible over long distances. Consequently, although there is comparatively low pressure for development within much of the CPA, the impact of buildings and other structures can have disproportionate effects on the character and visual quality of the landscape and detract from its sense of wilderness.

A Countryside Policy Area is designated to protect the visual amenity of this area of acknowledged landscape quality, to maintain the rural character of the countryside and to afford protection from those parts of the area under pressure from development.

Boundaries of the CPA have been drawn to coincide with physical features on the ground.

Development proposals within this CPA will be determined in accordance with prevailing regional planning policy.