Northern Ireland Planning Service

Northern Area Plan 2016
Coleraine Borough: Portrush Area of Townscape Character

Designation PHT 02 Area of Townscape Character – Portrush
An Area of Townscape Character is designated as identified on Map No. 3/04 b – Portrush Town Centre.
Key features of the area will be taken into account when assessing development proposals are as follows:
  1. The mixture of two and three storey buildings with generally uniform consistent eaves height within each section of terrace;
  2. The overwhelming prevalence of smooth and painted rendered buildings with plain facades with and without embellishment;
  3. The strong vertical emphasis to the front elevations and the pitched, mainly natural slated roofs, with relatively little variation in the eaves line/ridge height of the buildings in their quite separate two and three storey settings;
  4. The largely uniform angle of roof pitch, ridge height, alignment and eaves detail in each terrace;
  5. The rhythm of the chimney stacks and ornamental pots;
  6. The lining out of dormer windows with windows or bays in the same elevation and with their traditional gable roof design without dominating the roof-scape or exceeding the ridge height of the building;
  7. The frequent detailing of angled bay windows with masonry piers between the glazing units, all contributing to the strong vertical emphasis and uniformity within the terraces;
  8. The traditional sliding sash window proportions with head and sill levels lining out and constituting a clear rhythm along the street frontage;
  9. The almost universal traditional two-paned sash-type window, many still constructed of timber;
  10. The deep [two courses] window sills with a traditional profile, especially in respect of the leading edge;
  11. The architectural detailing of many of the buildings varying from relatively simple moulded window surrounds to much more ornate string courses, parapets and elaborate entrance features as seen at Mount Royal;
  12. The attractive door-cases with pilaster columns and moulded canopies as characteristic of even modest terraces as Golf Terrace;
  13. The prevalence of traditional panelled doors with a painted finish and some with bolection moulded detailing;
  14. The use of round-section cast iron or aluminium downpipes and gutters;
  15. The attractive wrought iron railings enclosing the small private spaces in front of some of the dwellings in Kerr Street, and
  16. The uniform rhythm of the terraces and the regular pattern of the fenestration which has remained unaltered due to the lack of introduction projecting balconies and balustrades or by the insertion of French windows or patio doors.

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The changing fortunes of Portrush over the last three to four decades has impacted significantly on both the commercial life of the town and the physical environment. Nevertheless, many of the streets and terraces within the Peninsula still bear witness to the former style and elegance of the resort during the golden years of the Victorian and Edwardian periods when Portrush was the playground of the rich and famous. The Townscape Analysis of the Portrush Peninsula has identified an area which merits designation as an Area of Townscape Character in order to ensure that its architectural character is maintained and enhanced through careful control over the design of new infill development and alterations to existing buildings.
The Department is not opposed to modern design provided it is of high quality, respects the wider townscape context, and conforms to the policy as set down. Policy for the control of development within Areas of Townscape and Village Character is contained in Policy ENV 6 in Part 2, Volume 1 of the Plan.
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