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Northern Ireland Planning Service

Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015
District Proposals: Hillsborough & Culcavy Urban Environment

Hillsborough Conservation Area

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Designated in 1976, Hillsborough Conservation Area is a unique area encompassing the historic village core along with the parklands and Demesne of the Downshire Estate. For the most part the Conservation Area boundary follows natural features on the ground and is well protected by large land holdings in public ownership. The Conservation Area is identified on Map No. 4/001 – Hillsborough and Map No. 48 – Hillsborough Conservation Area.

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Development proposals within Hillsborough Conservation Area will be assessed in accordance with prevailing regional planning policy as currently set out in PPS 6 Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage, Policy U E2 as set out in Part 3, Volume 1 of the Plan and any design guidance.
Policy HH 14 Hillsborough Conservation Area Additional Design Criteria
The following additional design criteria shall apply to Hillsborough Conservation Area:
  • New or replacement buildings shall replicate existing forms, layout, materials and detailing of the buildings within the area.
  • The same standards of detailing and design will be applied to all development whether on the street frontage or to the rear of the buildings and whether exposed to or hidden from public view.
  • Facing brick shall not be used in finishes except in chimney stacks and shop window openings shall be retained.
  • Extensions and alteration works to the rear of terraces shall be subordinate in character to the main building on the street frontage and will be no more than two storeys high.
  • New works shall not disrupt the existing silhouette of a roof.
  • Existing historic structures located behind the principal premises that form the street frontage shall be retained.
  • The retention of existing historic ancillary structures shall take precedence over the requirements for additional vehicle access.
  • The enlargement for existing ground floor windows and door openings in street facades shall be carried out in a traditional manner.
Hillsborough is a Georgian planned town with many historic buildings along the Main Street. Characterised by craft shops and other specialist shopping, the area has an attractive landscape setting including Hillsborough Castle Park, which comprises the Government House and Fort.

Historic Parks, Gardens and Demesnes

Designation HH 15 Historic Park, Garden and Demesne Hillsborough Castle
The following Historic Park, Garden, and Demesne of special historic interest is designated as identified on Map No. 4/001 – Hillsborough, and Map No. 4/004 - Historic Parks and Gardens.
HH 15 Hillsborough Castle
There are references to the building of the demesne wall around the Large Park in 1668. This was the site of a former house and surrounding ornamental grounds, now much altered. It contains a lake, parkland, an artillery fort, mature trees and forest planting. The Small Park, on the west side of the town of Hillsborough, is the site of the present house of circa 1797. This area was totally enclosed by walls during the 1840s, after the main road to Moira was re-routed away from the house.
Hillsborough Castle Historic Park, Garden and Demesne makes a valuable contribution to the quality and character of the local landscape, and details of each are included in a register of Historic Parks and Gardens and Demesnes of special historic interest in Northern Ireland. This register summarises the historical significance of the sites. Additional information is contained in the Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement.
Prevailing regional policy for the protection of Historic Parks, Gardens and Demesnes of special historic interest is set out in PPS 6 – Planning, Archaeology and Built Heritage.
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