Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015
District Proposals: Moira

Moira is an attractive ridge-top town that takes its special character from its linear plan and location on the southern escarpment of the Lagan Valley. This character is enhanced by the planned landscaping associated with the former Moira Demesne, and a large part of the town centre has been designated as a Conservation Area.

Moira acts as a service centre for a significant rural hinterland, and provides a focal point for community activity. It also has a role as a commuter settlement, and occupies a favourable location in relation to the transportation network.

The earliest records of the present settlement at Moira date back to the 17th century, but the general area is known to have been settled long before this, as seen by its upstanding archaeological monuments. The present town is close to the reputed site of a major battle in 637 AD, and it was laid out from the mid-18th century alongside the 17th century planned landscape around Moira Castle, built circa 1651. The town’s 18th century form has survived along its main street, giving the settlement a very distinctive character, while the planned landscape around the former castle is an important area of open space in the town.

The population of Moira has grown significantly over the last 30 years, increasing from 853 in 1971 to 3,669 in 2001.

Moira is one of 7 small towns that has been identified in the Spatial Development Strategy in the RDS as being suitable for significant planned expansion, in order to meet housing need related to the BMA. The Regional Development Strategy (RDS) recognises that the identified towns are well located in relation to key transport corridors and have a concentration of existing facilities and infrastructure, which provides a good basis for accommodating expansion comprising housing and economic development.

The Settlement Development Limit is designated to take account of the town’s role as a local service centre while protecting its natural setting. The limit has also been drawn to take account of land with extant permission for housing.

The opportunity for the outward expansion of Moira is constrained by a number of environmental factors, including the need to safeguard local landscapes on the edge of the settlement, which make an important contribution to the visual amenity and setting of the town. The town’s location on a ridge, with the steep eastern slopes of the ridge and valley floor below restrict development in this direction, while the Moira Demesne situated to the north west of the town also provides a limit to the expansion of the town. The Settlement Development Limit also excludes areas of high quality agricultural land.