Northern Area Plan 2016
Moyle District: Ballycastle Open Space

Ballycastle is adequately provided with informal recreational and amenity spaces, including public and private open space, children’s play space and playing pitches based on PPS 8: Open Space Sport and Outdoor Recreation. In addition, the beach to the east of the town provides an extensive area for walking and passive recreation.

The private housing developments of the 1980s and 1990s tend to have very limited or no incidental open spaces particularly in the western side of the town. The Department, consistent with PPS 7: Quality Residential Environments and PPS 8: Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation, requires new residential development to make provision for appropriate open space.

The Department will seek to enhance the network of footpaths within the town through the development control process.

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 designated in development plans or not, is protected under Policy OS1 of PPS 8.

This area has been zoned as a proposed extension to the Recreation Grounds, particularly to meet the need of additional recreational space in the town.