Northern Area Plan 2016
Limavady Borough: Gortnahey

Gortnahey is located 5 kilometres north west of Dungiven and 13 kilometres south of Limavady. Altahullion Hill lies to the west of the hamlet, and there are extensive views to the east over the River Roe to Benbraddagh. It has evolved as two clusters of development, with an area of primarily public housing at Gortnahey Road and private housing at Beech Road. There is a primary school and Roman Catholic Church within the hamlet, but no commercial services. There are proposals, however, to provide a community hall and two retail units on the site of the existing McCartney Memorial Hall. Gortnahey has experienced an increase in population over the last decade reaching 285 in 2001, and is designated a Hamlet in the Settlement Hierarchy in Volume 1 of the Plan.

The development limit will consolidate the existing clusters and provide opportunities for infilling and rounding off. Any development will be required to be in character, in terms of density, height and design, with the existing built form.

The Plan identifies major areas of existing open space for information purposes. Policies relating to open space are contained within PPS 8: Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation. All existing open space, whether identified in development plans or not, is protected under Policy OS1 of PPS 8.