Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015
District Proposals: Carrickfergus Background

Carrickfergus is situated on the shores of Belfast Lough between Greenisland and Whitehead some 8 miles north east of Belfast. It occupies a beautiful coastal location set against the distinctive backdrop of the Antrim Hills and the Knockagh Monument.

The Town is the largest settlement in the Borough with of 27,408 in 2001, which represents 73% of the population of the Borough an increase of 3% from the 1991 figure of 70%.

Carrickfergus is a historic Town which dates from medieval times and which grew up around the castle. It experienced strong growth in the 1970s and 1980s with the opening up of major factories. The Town is an important industrial, commercial and service centre and has developed as a dormitory town with considerable daily commuting to Belfast via the good road and rail network. The Town’s proximity to Belfast also brings opportunities for the dual use of the infrastructure, services and facilities which are available in the wider Belfast area.

The image and vitality of the Town has been improved by recent initiatives in the Town Centre and in the award winning Marina Area.

The Regional Development Strategy (RDS) recognises the role of Carrickfergus as a ‘Heritage Town’ and an important industrial and service centre, with a strengthened housing role, whilst continuing to regenerate its Town Centre and waterfront area.

It seeks to improve road and rail links with Belfast and the regional gateways should be improved to give the Town advantages in terms of potential for further investment and development as an important centre of industry and commerce.

The RDS aims to protect and enhance a varied range of tourism development opportunities by focusing on the unique attractions of Carrickfergus Castle and the marina and maximise the benefits of the Lough shore location. It also aims to protect and enhance water based amenities by developing water based pursuits at Carrickfergus Marina by developing new marinas and moorings and promote cultural and historic attractions through the protection of Carrickfergus as a heritage Town.

Carrickfergus Settlement Development Limit is designated to protect the natural setting of the Town, while at the same time providing sufficient development opportunities in line with its role as the main industrial and service centre with a strengthened housing role within the Borough. It will prevent suburban sprawl and urban impingement on the open countryside maximising the use of existing land within the urban footprint and promoting compact urban form.

The opportunity for outward expansion is constrained by the need to protect the coastal zone to the south, east and west of the settlement and by topographical and environmental factors, including elevated land and high quality landscapes such as the Knockagh Escarpment to the north and west of the settlement.