Northern Ireland Planning Service

Ards and Down Area Plan 2015
Down District: Newcastle Open Space and Recreation

Newcastle has a wide variety of both outdoor recreation and amenity open space. Donard Park is the major facility and provides both active and amenity open space. Down District Council provides recreation facilities linked to the seafront and the promenade. Down District Council recently finished upgrading the promenade and was awarded the prestigious Public Realm Award for its Newcastle Promenade Scheme in 2007.
Existing and proposed recreation and open space facilities will cater for residents and visitors alike.
The town has developed adjacent to a number of rivers which contribute to the setting of the urban area. The opportunity exists to protect and enhance the recreational potential of the river corridors by protecting and providing natural pedestrian links through the town, particularly from the Town Centre, to other attractions for example, Tollymore Forest Park and the seafront.
Proposal NE 20 Existing Amenity Open Space and Recreation
The following areas of existing amenity open space and recreation use are designated in accordance with Planning Policy Statement 8 (PPS 8): Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation and as indicated on Map No. 3/004a Newcastle Settlement Map.

Active Open Space

  • Central Promenade: Tourist Information & Leisure Centre
  • Island Park: Playground
  • Old Regal Factory Site: Kickabout Pitch
  • Castle Park: Playground
  • Donard Park: Playing Fields
  • Castlewellan Road: Gaelic Football Pitches
  • Slieve Donard Hotel: Tennis Courts

Amenity Open Space

  • Island Park: Recreation Area
  • Castle Park: Recreation Area
  • Black Rock: Recreation Area
  • Bogey Hill: Recreation Area
  • South Promenade: Recreation Area
  • Donard Park: Recreation Area
Proposal NE 21 Proposed Amenity Open Space and Recreation
The following area of proposed amenity open space and recreation use is designated in accordance with Planning Policy Statement 8 (PPS 8): Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation and as indicated on Map No. 3/004a Newcastle Settlement Map.
  • Adjacent to Ashleigh House
0.69 hectares of land around Ashleigh House is identified as recreation, amenity and open space to protect the setting of this listed building and to provide an area of local amenity space. This will be provided in conjunction with the housing proposed under Proposal NE 03.
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