To conserve the natural character and
landscape of the undeveloped coast.
It has long been recognised that the
Northern Ireland coastline with its diversity of landscapes and
habitats, some of outstanding quality, is a very important but
non-renewable resource. Already much of the coast has been
designated within Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Areas of
Special Scientific Interest, Nature Reserves or falls within
existing rural policy areas. The effect of development on both
wildlife and the beauty of the landscape can be serious and
widespread. There are few types of development which require a
coastal location and the undeveloped coast will rarely be an
appropriate location for new development.
The undeveloped coastal zone will therefore be designated as a
Countryside Policy Area in relevant development plans. It shall be
taken to include those areas directly related to the coastline and
including river estuaries. The shoreline of Strangford Lough is
included within the definition of the coast. Certain stretches of
shoreline of inland lakes and loughs may also be designated as a
Countryside Policy Area. Such designations will be set out in the
relevant area plan and will be based on the Countryside Assessment
for the particular area.
Within the coastal Countryside Policy Area the Department will apply
the policies as set out in the Green Belt and Countryside Policy
Areas section. However, greater emphasis will be placed on the
visual impact of proposals on the coastal zone. In general
development will only be permitted where there is a clear site
specific need.
Certain parts of the coast are, for a variety of reasons, of such
unique quality that it would be in the public interest to restrict
all development. This policy will only be applied in exceptional
circumstances and such areas will be identified in development
plans.
Particular attention will be paid to the maintenance of public views
to the coast.
Certain developments require a coastal location -
examples include ports and marinas, industries which require a
location near a port, certain tourist and recreational projects and
the energy generation industry. In dealing with proposals for this
type of development the Department will carefully assess the need
for such a proposal, its effect on the local or regional economy and
potential impacts on the environment - see policy PSU 2. Such
developments, where necessary, will normally be located within
existing urban areas or within areas zoned for such use within the
relevant area plan. Exceptionally, development may be permitted on
the undeveloped coast in the following circumstances:
- where the proposed development is
of such national or regional importance as to outweigh any potential
detrimental impact to the coastal environment; and
- where no feasible alternative site
within an existing urban area exists.
Applications for major developments
on the coast may be required to be accompanied by an environmental
statement.
Regard will be paid to the visual and physical impact of coastal
protection schemes, particularly on the undeveloped coastline.
Where development is approved within the undeveloped coastal zone,
conditions may be imposed to minimise any adverse impact on the
environment. In particular conditions will be used to:
- minimise the visual impact of
development by the careful siting, design and landscaping of the
proposal;
- ensure the design of the
development is of a high standard and of traditional style and
materials; and
keep important public views of the
coast free from development.
Development will not normally be
permitted in areas known to be at serious risk from flooding,
coastal erosion or land instability. New development will generally
not be acceptable where it would require the provision of expensive
engineering works to protect the development from erosion or coastal
flooding - see policy PSU10.
Where it is considered necessary the location of major risk areas
may be indicated in the relevant area plan. |
