Northern Area Plan 2016
Strategic Plan Framework: Environment and Conservation Areas of Archaeological Potential

In accordance with PPS 6: Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage, the Plan highlights for information Areas of Archaeological Potential in the following settlements. The extent of these areas is shown on the relevant settlement map in Volume 2.

Ballymoney, Cloghmills*, Dervock*

Coleraine, Garvagh, Kilrea, Macosquin*, Portrush, Portstewart.

Limavady*, Ballykelly*, Dungiven*, Drumsurn*, Feeny.

Ballycastle, Ballintoy, Bushmills*, Cushendall*, Lisnagunogue, Waterfoot*.

These areas indicate to developers that, on the basis of current knowledge, it is likely that archaeological remains associated with the earlier urban development of these settlements will be encountered in the course of future development or change within the area. Such areas have largely been identified within the proposed development limits and, in some instances ,associated archaeological remains may extend outside of these limits. Those settlements marked with an asterisk (*) have Areas of Archaeological Potential that extend beyond the present settlement limits. Submission of an archaeological assessment or evaluation in support of a planning application may be required to allow informed and reasonable decisions to be taken. Archaeological assessments may be required under the provisions of prevailing Regional policy.

All Greenfield sites, whether or not they contain known features, have archaeological potential. The Plan Area contains areas within which archaeological potential may exist but has yet to be fully assessed. Where archaeological remains or their settings may be affected by development, applicants should submit an assessment or evaluation of the archaeological implications of their scheme and how any impacts will be mitigated as part of their planning application.

Where planning permission is granted for a scheme which may impact on archaeological remains, it will normally be conditional on the implementation an appropriate programme of archaeological mitigation. This may include field survey, preservation of remains in situ, or the investigation of remains through excavation recording, and the analysis, archiving and preparation of results as an archaeological report.

It should be noted that within the Plan Area there is a very wide range of archaeological sites and monuments, from findspots of prehistoric tools through to major sites of industrial and defence heritage. Development proposals which may impact on any of those sites already identified in the Northern Ireland Sites and Monuments Record will be determined on their merits having regard to the Department’s regional planning policies and the policies and guidance in this Plan.

Developers are strongly advised to liaise with the Department before submitting any proposals within these areas. Advice on the treatment of archaeological sites and monuments within residential developments is contained within the Department’s Publication ‘Creating Places: achieving quality in residential developments’.

It should be noted that it is an offence under the provisions of the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (NI) Order 1995 to carry out any intrusive search (such as excavation) for archaeological remains unless specifically licensed to do so by the Department.