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

Rostrevor is the largest village in the Plan Area. It is located on the A2 coast road, 13 kilometres south east of Newry.

The village lies within the Mournes Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) at the foot of the heavily wooded slopes where the Kilbroney, Rostrevor and Ghant Rivers flow into Carlingford Lough. The development of the village is characterised by a number of large listed dwellings set in a series of sizeable planned landscapes, a feature that also characterises the shoreline between Rostrevor and Warrenpoint. This character has been recognised by the designation of a Conservation Area, centred on The Square.

In the 20th century, the village experienced significant growth with suburban development mainly spreading in a northeasterly direction from the historic village core along Kilbroney/Newtown Road. During the previous plan period development consisted of a mix of housing types and included private sector and NIHE developments. However, since the late 1990’s new development has concentrated on the apartment sector of the market with new apartments being built along the shore at Warrenpoint/Shore Road, Greenpark Road, The Square and Kilbroney Road.

Rostrevor provides a significant range of facilities that service the local community. The main focus for commercial activity is in The Square and along Bridge Street, ranging from small grocery shops, to professional services such as estate agents, insurance brokers and chiropodists. It provides a variety of pubs, restaurants and takeaways as well as barbers, beauty salons and bookmakers. The local area is strengthened by a number of community facilities, including a Post Office, a Community Association Office and the Kilbroney Centre. There are a number of churches of different denominations and it is also served by three primary schools.

There is a wide range of open space/recreation areas. These include Kilbroney Park with a path along Fairy Glen, a playing field at Greenpark Road and a playground at Newtown Villas and Carrickbawn Park. The impressive landscape that surrounds Rostrevor provides many opportunities for tourism, with the Rostrevor Forest providing an information centre, play areas and caravan parks in close proximity to the village.

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. In this regard the previous development limit is amended to protect important features and landscapes. Where appropriate, the limit provides opportunity for quality development but the growth of the settlement is constrained by its coastal setting and the steep slopes of the mountains to the east and north.

The Housing Needs Assessment has identified a social housing need of 36 dwellings in Rostrevor. The following sites have been identified in whole or in part to meet this social housing need.

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. This development is ongoing.

The following site is zoned for education use. Policy for the control of development on zoned sites is contained in Policy SMT 2 in Volume 1 of the Plan.

There are proposals to build a new primary school on this site to replace St. Mary's Boys and the Convent of Mercy primaries.

The following site RR 06 is zoned for cemetery use. Policy for the control of development on zoned sites is contained in 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.

Newry and Mourne District Council propose to provide further cemetery land to the south of the existing cemetery at Kilbroney Road.