Northern Ireland Planning Service

Banbridge / Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015
District Proposals: Meigh

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Meigh is a relatively compact village located within the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), approximately 7 kilometres southwest of Newry.
The village occupies a slightly elevated position in an undulating landscape. Slieve Gullion, which lies to the west of the village, and high hills to the northeast and southeast, provide a sense of enclosure.
Meigh originated as a cluster of buildings around the crossroads formed by Drumintee Road, Newry Road, Chapel Road and Railway Road. More recent development has taken place along Chapel Road, towards St. Joseph’s Primary School, with significant private sector housing having taken place at Rath Gullion and Kilglen Drive. Expansion has also occurred along the Drumintee Road. There has been only a limited amount of development along Railway Road and Newry Road.
Facilities within the village include St. Joseph’s Church, a primary school, a community centre, a public house/restaurant, a post office, a convenience store and a new development of shop and offices on Chapel Road.
Designation MH 01 Settlement Development Limit
A settlement development limit is designated as identified on Map No. 3/17 – Meigh.
The settlement development limit is designated to take account of land with extant planning permission for housing and sites that have not yet been approved but which are at a stage in the planning application process where there is a reasonable expectation that planning approval will be granted. The settlement development limit also takes account of the role of the settlement whilst protecting its natural setting.
The settlement development limit around Meigh village is designated to ensure that the views and settings of locally significant buildings and vistas are protected whilst also restricting further ribbon development and unnecessary expansion into the surrounding countryside.

Housing

Social Housing

The Housing Need Assessment has identified a social housing need of 25 dwellings for Meigh. The following site has been identified in whole or in part to meet this social housing need.
Site Reference Location No. of Dwellings
MH 02 Chapel Road 9
MH 03 Dromintee 16
Total number of social dwellings 25
Details of the social housing allocation and associated methodology are contained in the Population and Housing Technical Supplement.

Housing Zonings

The following 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.
Zoning MH 02 Housing Chapel Road
1.25 hectares of land off Chapel Road are zoned for housing as identified on Map No. 3/17 – Meigh.
Key Site Requirements:
  • A minimum of 9 dwellings shall be provided for social housing;
  • Housing development shall be a minimum gross density of 25 dwellings and a maximum gross density of 30 dwellings per hectare.
An outline planning application has been submitted for housing development on this site.
Zoning MH 03 Housing Drumintee Road
0.55 hectares of land to the south west of Gullion View off Drumintee Road are zoned for housing as identified on Map No. 3/17 – Meigh.
Key Site Requirements:
  • A minimum of 16 dwellings shall be provided for social housing;
  • Housing development shall be a minimum gross density of 20 dwellings and a maximum gross density of 30 dwellings per hectare;
  • The development layout shall ensure that dwellings do not back onto Drumintee Road;
  • Access to the development shall be from Gullion View.
A full planning application has been submitted for phase one of a housing development on this site.

Environment and Conversation

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

Meigh is located within the Ring of Gullion AONB as identified on Map No. 3/17 - Meigh. The AONB was designated in 1991 under the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands Order (Northern Ireland) 1985 in recognition of its exceptional scenic quality.

Local Landscape Policy Areas (LLPAs)

The following areas are designated as LLPAs. Policy for the control of development within LLPAs is contained in Policy CVN 4 in Volume 1 of the Plan.
Designation MH 04 Local Landscape Policy Area St Joseph’s Church
A LLPA is designated as identified on Map No. 3/17 - Meigh.
Those features or combination of features that contribute to the environmental quality, integrity or character of this LLPA are listed below:
  • The views and setting of the listed St. Joseph’s RC Church;
  • The mature trees and vegetation in the vicinity of the church, graveyard and parochial house.
Designation MH 05 Local Landscape Policy Area Historic Village Core
A LLPA is designated as identified on Map No. 3/17 - Meigh.
Those features or combination of features that contribute to the environmental quality, integrity or character of this LLPA are listed below:
  • The views and setting of the listed public house and adjacent dwelling which form the original core of the village;
  • The attractive approaches from Newry Road and Railway Road, including the locally significant trees along Railway Road;
  • Sympathetic extensions or additions to the existing property may be acceptable on the southwestern side of Railway Road. Car parking could be located on the opposite side of the road subject to retention of boundary vegetation and additional planting to screen the car park when viewed from the Newry Road.
Designation MH 06 Local Landscape Policy Area 26 Drumintee Road  
A LLPA is designated as identified on Map No. 3/17 - Meigh.
Those features or combination of features that contribute to the environmental quality, integrity or character of this LLPA are listed below:
  • The setting of the listed vernacular dwelling and outbuildings at No. 26 Drumintee Road.
Designation MH 07 Local Landscape Policy Area Drumintee Road  
A LLPA is designated as identified on Map No. 3/17 - Meigh.
Those features or combination of features that contribute to the environmental quality, integrity or character of this LLPA are listed below:
  • The ruins of St. Luke’s Church;
  • A listed dwelling sited on a rath;
  • A number of vernacular dwellings;
  • Significant groups of trees and other mature vegetation which enhances the setting of these buildings and the approach to the village.
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