Banbridge / Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015
Banbridge: Countryside Minerals

By their nature, scale, location and duration of operation, mineral developments frequently impact more severely on the environment than any other form of development. They can damage or destroy sites of nature conservation or earth science value and sites of historic and archaeological interest. They can also have a significant visual impact on the landscape and an adverse effect on the amenity of the people nearby.

Areas of Constraint on Minerals Development have been identified in order to safeguard the most valuable and vulnerable areas of the environment within the Banbridge and Newry & Mourne Districts from the detrimental effects of mineral extraction. Their identification has taken account of nature conservation interests, the archaeological and built heritage, landscape quality and character as identified in the Northern Ireland Landscape Character Assessment 2000, visual prominence, amenity value, geological interest and beaches in the coastal zone.

Designated Areas of Constraints on Minerals Development also include, in view of their nature conservation importance and/or scientific value:

Proposals for the development of mineral resources within these areas will be determined in accordance with prevailing regional policy, which is set out in Policy MIN 3 of 'A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland' (PSRNI).