Strategic Plan Framework

This part of the Written Statement sets out the Strategic Plan Framework comprising allocations, designations, and policies relating to the whole District, which complement, and are in reference to, the Regional Policy Context.

Magherafelt District contains a diverse range of both upland and lowland landscapes whose wildlife habitats and heritage features give the District its distinctive identity. A detailed analysis is given in the Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement.

The story of human activity within the Plan area is illustrated by archaeological sites and monuments, vernacular and historic buildings, features and structures surviving from past industries, planned parkland landscapes and the pattern of streets and buildings in the District’s towns. This heritage is finite and vulnerable and it is important that it be cherished and protected for the benefit and enjoyment of both present and future generations. The District contains a wealth of recorded archaeological monuments and buildings, listed as being of special architectural or historic interest, and a number of historic parks, gardens and demesnes of special historical interest. There is one designated Conservation Area (Draperstown) in the District.

Sites of conservation importance are identified on Map No. 1 Countryside Map, Map No. 2 Environmental Designations Map, relevant settlement maps and in the Plan appendices.

REGIONAL POLICY CONTEXT

The Regional Development Strategy is based on a number of guiding principles, one of which is the protection and enhancement of the environment through an approach to development and policy formulation, which has the condition of the environment as a central deciding factor. One of the key regional challenges will therefore be to accommodate future development while protecting and caring for the environment.

The Department’s regional planning policies for the protection of conservation interests are currently set out in PPS 2 - Planning and Nature Conservation, and PPS 6 - Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage.

Other Departmental regional planning policies in relation to the environment including protection of rural landscapes, assessment of environmental effects of proposals and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) are currently set out within the Rural Strategy.

The Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy 2002 endorses the recommendations of the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group as the framework for biodiversity action. The Strategy describes the main features of biodiversity in Northern Ireland, identifies the main factors affecting it and proposes a number of measures to support biodiversity conservation up to 2016.

Areas of High Scenic Value are designated on the West Lough Neagh Shores and the Slieve Gallion Slopes as identified in the Countryside Section in Part 3 of the Plan and as indicated on Map No. 1 - Countryside.

In determining applications for planning permission within Areas of High Scenic Value the Department will consider how proposals will conserve and enhance the landscape of the Area of High Scenic Value. Particular regard will be paid to the siting, massing, scale and design, materials, finishes and landscaping of proposals in order to ensure that development will integrate well into the topography and landscape and respect the scale of, and materials used in existing vernacular and traditional buildings in the surrounding area.

In accordance with PPS 6 - Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage – LLPAs are designated to help protect the environmental assets within or adjoining settlements as identified in the Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement.

LLPAs are designated in and adjoining the following towns and villages:

Magherafelt, Maghera, Bellaghy, Castledawson, Draperstown and Tobermore

and in or adjoining the following small settlements:

Clady, Creagh, Culnady, Curran, Desertmartin, Glen, Glenone, Gracefield, Inishrush, Kilross, Knockcloghrim, Longfield, Moneyneany, Straw, Swatragh, Tamlaght , Upperlands, The Woods

The LLPAs are identified on Map No. 1 - Countryside and the relevant Settlement Maps and Clarification Maps in Part 4 of the Plan.

The use of Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) will be considered by the Department for those LLPAs where trees contribute significantly to visual amenity, or where trees are considered under threat from development. In cases where a Tree Preservation Order is already in existence the LLPA policy will act in addition to and without prejudice to any other statutory provision associated with this Order.

Where riverbanks are included within a LLPA the Department will normally require that access is provided to the river corridor, as part of any development proposal. A landscape buffer may also be required between any development and the river corridor to maintain its intrinsic environmental value.

Where LLPAs contain significant parts of historic parks, gardens or demesnes, conservation areas, listed buildings, and archaeological monuments this policy will apply in addition to and without prejudice to any other statutory provision or policy relating to these features.

In accordance with PPS 2 - Planning and Nature Conservation, sites of local nature conservation importance are designated within the open countryside as identified on Map No. 1 - Countryside and as shown on Map Nos. 4-75 in Part 3 of the Plan.

Where exceptionally a development is permitted which might adversely affect the nature conservation interests, the

Department will endeavour to ensure that such effects are kept to a minimum. Consideration will be given to the use of conditions in order to protect the conservation interest or to require appropriate mitigation measures. Where appropriate, developers may be asked to enter into a planning agreement to secure these outcomes.

In accordance with PPS 6 - Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage, ATCs are designated in Magherafelt, Maghera and Upperlands as indicated on the relevant Settlement Map Nos. 81a, 82a, 106a and on clarification Map Nos. 81c, 82c and 106c. Planning applications within ATCs will be considered in the context of the above policy and PPS7 -Quality Residential Environments

– Quality Residential Environments until further specific regional planning policy to guide development in ATCs is in place.

All settlements have their own identity and character, derived from the sense of place that comes from human activity, which over time has shaped the present built form. In some places, the variety, or consistency of the overall character, including style of construction and in some instances landscaping, is particularly distinctive or pleasing, and merits specific protection from inappropriate change.

The Department wishes to ensure that new development respects the distinctive character and appearance of the townscape in the designated areas. The Department also considers that the characteristic built form in these areas can inform developers in preparing development proposals elsewhere in these settlements, in order to reinforce local identity. More detail on the traditional character, appearance and key features of the ATCs and advice on development within these areas is provided in Part 4 of the Plan.

Areas of Archaeological Potential

In accordance with PPS 6 - Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage, Areas of Archaeological Potential are highlighted for information in the Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement. They relate to:

• Magherafelt;

• Maghera;

• Bellaghy;

• Castledawson;

• Tobermore;

• Culnady;

• Curran;

• Desertmartin; and

• Gulladuff

These areas indicate to developers where, on the basis of current knowledge, it is likely that archaeological remains will be encountered in the course of continuing development and change. Developers are advised to liase with the Department before submitting any proposals within these areas.

Planning policy in relation to archaeology is contained in PPS 6 - Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage.