Banbridge / Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015
District Proposals: Ballymartin (Page 1 of 2)

Ballymartin lies at the foot of the Mourne Mountains on the A2 coast road, approximately 15 kilometres south of Newcastle and 3 kilometres north of Kilkeel.

It lies within the Mournes Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The scenic, low-lying and gently undulating landscape surrounding the village has both influenced, and constrained, the growth of the settlement and is reflected in the pattern of its development.

Originally formed in a linear fashion along the A2 road axis, Ballymartin has slowly expanded on both sides of the Annalong Road. The development of St. Josephs Bungalows at the edge of steep slopes down to the beach and the development of housing on Seaview Heights and most recently, Binnian View Park on the north eastern approach to the village, have changed the character of the settlement. Housing development has occurred inland on the south-western end of the town at Ballykeel Court. In addition, the development of Victoria Court housing development off School Road has commenced.

As a small village it serves as a local centre for its rural hinterland. Being located in an extremely attractive region of Northern Ireland on the main A2 coastal route, it acts as a tourist centre. There is a caravan park located on the seaward side of the main street. The village also provides a primary school, a church and graveyard, a public house, post office, shop and filling station. A gospel hall and a garden centre lie on the edge of the development limit.

The settlement development limit has been designated to take account of land with extant planning permission for housing and sites that have not yet been approved but are at a stage in the planning application process where there is reasonable expectation that approval will be granted. The settlement development limit has been drawn to take account of the role of the settlement, accommodating sites for new development while protecting the extremely attractive natural surroundings. It will serve to consolidate the village and prevent ribboning of development along the Annalong Road (A2) and along School Road, while protecting the coastal plain and adjoining countryside.

Housing

The Housing Need Assessment has identified a social housing need of 3 dwellings for Ballymartin. It is envisaged that this will be met through the development control process.

Details of the social housing allocation and associated methodology are contained in the Population and Housing Technical Supplement.

The following sites, including committed sites, are zoned for housing. Policy for the control of development on zoned sites is contained in Policy SMT 2 in Volume 1 of the Plan. Zoned land will be developed in accordance with all prevailing regional planning policy and with any relevant Plan Policies and Proposals including, where specified, key site requirements.

The plan does not stipulate key site requirements for committed sites because future development will be subject to the conditions attached to planning permission. However, in the event that such permission may lapse Planning Service may alter existing conditions or attach new conditions to any subsequent approval to take account of prevailing regional planning policy and the Plan Proposals.

Full planning permission has been granted for housing development on this site. Development has commenced.

An application for full planning permission has been submitted for housing development on this site accessed off Ballykeel Court.