Northern Area Plan 2016
Strategic Countryside and Coast: Green Belts

In the context of the Regional Development Strategy (RDS), the Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland (PSRNI), the Northern Ireland Landscape Character Assessment 2000 and the analysis of existing and potential development pressure, the Department considers Green Belt designations around the relevant settlements to be justified. This justification arises from the need for the Department to exercise control over new development to meet the objectives of regional planning and specifically the strategic objectives of Green Belts, as set out in Policy GB/CPA 1 of the Rural Strategy. Details of the pressure analysis findings and the detailed justification of the outer edge of the Green Belt are contained in the Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement.

Development proposals within the designated Green Belts will be determined in accordance with prevailing regional planning policy.

The Department considers that the Green Belt around Limavady has provided an effective control over development within this rural area. It is considered necessary to maintain strict planning control in this area and to extend the Green Belt where development pressure is greatest.

The previous Green Belt has been significantly extended to the west of Ballykelly to encompass the village of Greysteel and link with the adjoining Green Belt surrounding Londonderry as designated in the Derry Area Plan 2011. The rural housing analysis indicates that this area is experiencing ongoing pressure for development. This is particularly evident along the road network to the west and south of Greysteel in elevated areas overlooking the Foyle Estuary. The Landscape Character Assessment highlights the effects of pressure within the Lough Foyle Alluvial Plain Landscape Character area (LCA) and recommends protection of the distinctive settings of Ballykelly and Greysteel. It is anticipated that this pressure is likely to increase over the Plan period given the area’s strategic location along the northern corridor, its good accessibility to Londonderry - the regional city of the North West, and the main hub of Limavady. The area is also in close proximity to the City of Derry Airport which anticipates continued expansion and potential strategic employment locations. Accordingly, it is considered necessary to extend the Green Belt in this area to protect the setting of settlements and to safeguard the surrounding countryside and prevent coalescence of Ballykelly and Greysteel.

The second area of major extension is located to the south west of Limavady Town. The rural housing analysis indicated that this area has been experiencing ongoing pressure for development. It is anticipated that this pressure is likely to increase given the area’s proximity to the main hub of Limavady and accessibility to the northern corridor. This extension is therefore considered necessary to protect the setting of Limavady Town and to safeguard the surrounding countryside.

It is considered that a minor extension to the Green Belt to the north east of Limavady Town and adjoining the North Derry AONB is necessary. The North Derry AONB has now been designated a Countryside Policy Area and this area of land falls between the Green Belt and CPA designations. Accordingly, in the context of the development pressure in this area as indicated by the rural housing analysis and the potential pressure likely to be exerted on this area due to the adjoining designations, it is considered necessary to extend the Green Belt. This will protect the setting of Limavady and safeguard the surrounding countryside.

The north east boundary of the outer edge of the Limavady Green Belt now coincides with the boundary of the North Derry Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Department considers that the Green Belt around Dungiven has provided an effective control over development within this rural area. It is considered necessary to maintain strict planning control in this area and to extend the green belt marginally where development pressure is likely to be greatest.

The Department considers that a minor extension of the Green Belt to the east of Dungiven Town adjoining the Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is necessary. That part of the Sperrins AONB within the Plan area is now designated as a Countryside Policy Area and this area is between the previous Green Belt and the new CPA designation. Accordingly, given the potential pressure likely to be exerted on this area due to the surrounding designations, it is considered appropriate to designate an extended Green Belt. This is necessary to protect the setting of Dungiven and to safeguard the surrounding countryside.

The outer boundary of the Dungiven Green Belt has now been defined to coincide with the Sperrin AONB boundary to the east and south of Dungiven.

The Department considers that the Green Belt around Coleraine/Ballymoney has provided an effective control over development within this rural area. It is considered necessary to maintain strict planning control in this area and to extend the green belt where development pressure is likely to be greatest.

The previous Green Belt is extended south of Castlerock and west of Coleraine Town to adjoin the North Derry Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The North Derry AONB has now been designated as a Countryside Policy Area. The rural housing analysis indicates that this area has come under increasing pressure for development, and its rural character is increasingly being compromised. Situated within easy access of Coleraine town and with its proximity to the North Coast and prime coastal views, it is likely that development pressure will continue to intensify. Accordingly, it is considered necessary to extend the Green Belt in this area, to protect the setting of Coleraine and safeguard the remaining rural character of the countryside.

The previous Green Belt designation is also significantly extended to the east of Ballymoney Town. The rural housing analysis indicates that this area is experiencing ongoing pressure for development. This area has good accessibility to the North Coast and the Antrim Coast and Glens as well as being in close proximity to Ballymoney Town. This is considered necessary to protect the setting of Ballymoney and to safeguard the surrounding countryside.

The previous Green Belt designation is also significantly extended to the south of Ballymoney Town. The rural housing analysis indicates that this area is experiencing ongoing pressure for development. This area has good accessibility to Ballymoney Town along with direct links to Belfast along the northern corridor. This extension is considered necessary to protect the setting of Ballymoney and to safeguard the surrounding countryside.