Northern Area Plan 2016
Strategic Countryside and Coast: Countryside Policy Areas

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 analysis of existing and potential development pressure, the Department considers seven Countryside Policy Area designations 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 Countryside Policy Areas, as set out in Policy GB/CPA 1 of the Rural Strategy. Details of the rural housing analysis and the detailed justification of the CPA are contained in the Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement which also incorporates a Biodiversity Study.

Development proposals within the designated Countryside Policy Areas will be determined in accordance with prevailing regional planning policy.

The designation of that part of the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within the North East Area Plan area as a Countryside Policy Area (CPA) has been largely effective in protecting the unique landscape character, from damaging development pressure. Since 1990 there has been a trend towards demand for increased development, therefore it is considered essential to retain the CPA designation.

The CPA boundary coincides with the designated AONB boundary.

The designation of the Causeway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within the North East Area Plan area as a Countryside Policy Area (CPA) has been largely effective in protecting the unique landscape character, from damaging development pressure. Since 1990 there has been a trend towards demand for increased development, therefore it is considered essential to retain the CPA designation. The existing CPA however has been extended to include an area to the east, south and west of Bushmills.

PPS 6 ‘Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage’ gave a commitment that a ‘new development plan’ would define more precisely the setting of the Region’s only World Heritage Site. This has been done and it is concluded that all that area with significant views to and from the World Heritage Site should be included within a CPA. Its setting would thereby be protected from development of a scale and prominence, which would diminish public enjoyment of the World Heritage Site, that is largely dependent on the grandeur of its natural features and the adjoining coastal area for its positive impact. As a result an area to the east, south and west of Bushmills has been included within the CPA, which now extends beyond the AONB boundary in the western part of Moyle District and the north eastern part of Coleraine Borough.

This Countryside Policy Area encompasses the complete North Derry Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which stretches across the northern section of Limavady Borough and the north eastern edge of Coleraine district. It incorporates the existing CPAs as designated in the Limavady Area Plan 1984-1999 but now extends significantly to include the rest of the AONB.

North Derry AONB is a unique landscape comprising two main character areas, the Magilligan Lowlands, found on the eastern shores of Lough Foyle and Binevenagh, the basalt escarpment which forms a dramatic backdrop to this flat coastal plain. The lowlands are characterised by a geometric pattern of rectangular fields, subdivided by a grid of drainage ditches. Apart from the sand dune ridges of Magilligan Strand to the west and the dramatic cliffs of Binevenagh to the east, most of the landscape within the AONB is haracterised by this abstract pattern of straight roads and right angles with an open and windswept character devoid of trees and hedgerows. As such, the area is sensitive to new development and changes in the field pattern, which is already evident as the rural housing analysis indicates particularly along the main coast road. The historic field pattern of the marginal upland pastures of Binevenagh ridge gradually merging into distinctive moorland characterises the eastern edge of the AONB. Although the rural housing analysis indicates comparatively low pressure, this area is particularly sensitive along the highly visible slopes, as well as the open upland plateau where new development or structures are likely to have a detrimental impact on the character and quality of this landscape.

In the context of this CPA’s unique landscape attraction, the Magilligan Ferry, Benone complex and its proximity to other tourist attractions such as the Giants Causeway, it is likely that the area will come under future pressure for development from the growth in the tourist industry within the Plan period. Appropriate tourist development will be acceptable within Benone, provided satisfactory infrastructure for the treatment of waste water is in place, and any development would integrate into the landscape in a compact form.

The Biodiversity Study has indicated that the these two Landscape Character Areas encompass two priority habitats of National Importance and nineteen priority species of Northern Ireland or national significance.

A Countryside Policy Area is designated to protect the visual amenity of this area of acknowledged landscape quality, to maintain the rural character of the countryside, to afford protection from those parts of the area under pressure for development and to protect areas rich in priority habitats and species of Northern Ireland and national significance.

The boundaries to the outer edge of this CPA are drawn to coincide with the existing AONB.

The Sperrins Countryside Policy Area encompasses that part of the Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty located within the Plan Area, which stretches across the southern section of Limavady Borough Council Area. This connects with that part of the Sperrins AONB located within Magherafelt District, which was recently designated as a CPA by the Draft Magherafelt Area Plan 2015. It incorporates the existing CPA as designated in the Limavady Area Plan 1984-1999 but now extends significantly to include the rest of the AONB.

This is an extensive upland area, important not only for its scenic quality, but also for its nature conservation and archaeological interests. The rural character of the area remains relatively intact although the rural housing analysis reveals pressure is building up to the south east of Feeny and along the main A2 corridor to Belfast.

Relatively small elements in the landscape, such as electricity lines or single dwellings, are often visible over long distances. Consequently, although there is comparatively low pressure for development within much of the CPA, the impact of buildings and other structures can have disproportionate effects on the character and visual quality of the landscape and detract from the sense of wilderness.

The Biodiversity Study highlights that two priority habitats of national significance and six to ten priority species of Northern Ireland and national significance are present within the Sperrin Mountains landscape character area.

A Countryside Policy Area is designated to protect the visual amenity of this area of acknowledged landscape quality, to maintain the rural character of the countryside, and to protect areas rich in priority habitats and species of Northern Ireland or national significance.

The boundaries to the outer edge of this CPA are designated to coincide with the existing AONB.

This Countryside Policy Area extends along the Lower Bann corridor within the Plan area traversing two landscape character areas, the Lower Bann Valley and the Lower Bann Floodplain. It stretches along the western fringe of Ballymoney Borough and the eastern fringe of Coleraine generally extending to about 1 kilometre on either side of the River Bann.

The Lower Bann River runs through a variety of contrasting river corridor landscapes. Its upper reaches are characterised by steep sided, well-wooded sand and gravel hills and ridges. The valley floor then widens and flattens into extensive open flat pastures, which contrast markedly against the narrow well-wooded valley sides of its lower reaches. This area is important not only for its scenic quality but also its biodiversity, and historical and industrial archaeology. Given the location along a river corridor, the area is vulnerable to development pressure, which is particularly noticeable along Vow Road in Ballymoney Borough.

The Biodiversity Study indicates that four priority habitats of national significance and sixteen to twenty priority species of Northern Ireland and national significance are present within the Lower Bann Valley landscape character area.

A Countryside Policy Area is designated to protect the visual amenity of this area of acknowledged landscape quality, to maintain the rural character of the countryside, to afford protection from those parts of the area under pressure for development and to protect areas rich in priority habitats and species of Northern Ireland and of national significance.

The boundaries to the outer edge of this CPA are designated to coincide with physical features on the ground or follow the line of a road with a 100 metre buffer when necessary.