Northern Area Plan 2016
Strategic Plan Framework: Environment and Conservation Development Adjacent to a Main River

Water is a key feature in many of the Plan area’s settlements. The location on a river bank was the rationale for the original settlement of many towns such as Coleraine, Limavady and Ballymoney. The public’s use, enjoyment and appreciation of rivers and their banks has increased greatly in recent years, for passive recreational purposes, nature conservation interest and general public amenity. Some settlements, such as Coleraine and Ballymoney have already enhanced sections of river bank for public access; for others, this is an asset yet to be exploited. The Department is conscious of the range of interests and activities that can occur along and on rivers, often to mutual benefit.

Where sites are adjacent to a main river, the Department will normally require, as part of any development proposal, that public access is provided to and along the river corridor. Access for maintenance purposes is also to be safeguarded for Rivers Agency.

The water environment also provides a unique and valuable habitat for various forms of wildlife, flora and fauna, either within the watercourse, along the river corridors, or on any land subject to flooding. The provision of a buffer strip establishes a continuous green link, parallel and immediately adjacent to the water, and provides an area of undisturbed refuge and habitat for wildlife. Where public access is provided, sensitively located routes with appropriate planting and landscaping and surfaced paths sympathetic to the surroundings will be required.

Areas of land adjacent to watercourses will often perform a primary function of providing for the storage and conveyance of flood-water during times of flood. It is essential that this function is not lost or compromised under any circumstances. This policy applies to the following main rivers: