Magherafelt Area Plan 2015: Draft Plan - The Planning Service

Contents 

Preamble 

Page 

12 

PART 1 INTRODUCTION 21 

Plan Area 

Purpose of the Plan 

Plan Allocations, Designations, Policies, Proposals and Zonings 

Policy Context 

Plan Aim 

Plan Objectives 

Plan Strategy 

PART 2 STRATEGIC PLAN FRAMEWORK 

Environment and Conservation 

Settlement 

Housing 

Industry 

Retailing, Services and Offices 

Transportation 

Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation 

Tourism 

Education and Community Facilities 

Public Utilities 

Minerals 

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 

PART 3 COUNTRYSIDE 

Green Belt 

Countryside Policy Areas 

West Lough Neagh Shores Area of High Scenic Value 

Slieve Gallion Slopes Area of High Scenic Value 

Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance 

Carntogher Dispersed Rural Community 

Historic Parks, Gardens and Demesnes 

Areas of Constraint on Mineral Developments 

Castledawson Informal Park & Ride and Park & Share Site 

Maghera Informal Park & Ride and Park & Share Sites 

Industrial Lands at Creagh 

23 

23 

23 

24 

27 

28 

29 

33 

35 

42 

47 

58 

62 

64 

68 

70 

73 

76 

81 

84 

87 

89 

92 

94 

95 

95 

96 

97 

98 

99 

100 

104 

3

Part 4 Settlements 

175 

Towns 

Magherafelt 

177 

Maghera 

232 

Villages 

Bellaghy 

261 

Castledawson 

276 

Draperstown 

291 

Tobermore 

308 

Small Settlements 

Ballymaguigan 

324 

Ballynease 

326 

Clady 

328 

Creagh 

332 

Culnady 

336 

Curran 

340 

Desertmartin 

344 

Glen 

348 

Glenone 

352 

Gracefield 

356 

Gulladuff 

360 

Inishrush 

362 

Kilross 

366 

Knockcloghrim 

370 

Longfield 

374 

Moneyneany 

378 

Straw 

382 

Swatragh 

386 

Tamlaght 

392 

Upperlands 

396 

The Woods 

404 

4

Appendices 

409 

1 Policy Context 409 

2 Planning Policy Statements 413 

3 Development Control Advice Notes 415 

4 Areas of Scientific Interest, Areas of Special 417 

Scientific Interest, Conservation Areas, National 

Nature Reserves, Ramsar Sites, Special Areas of 

Conservation. 

5 The Planning Team 447 

Maps accompanying this document 

1 Countryside Map 

2 Environmental Designations Countryside Map 

3 Archaeological Sites & Monuments Map 

81a Magherafelt 

82a Maghera 

5

The following comprises a list of all allocations, designations, policies, 

proposals and zonings as contained in Parts 2 – 4 of the Plan. Further 

explanation of these is set out in Part 1 of the Plan 

Pt Section Reference Subject Pg 

2 Environment Policy CON 1 Areas of High Scenic Value 36 

& Policy CON 2 Local Landscape Policy Areas 37 

Conservation Policy CON 3 Sites of Local Nature 

38 

Conservation Importance 

Policy CON 4 Areas of Townscape Character 39 

Settlement Designation SETT 1 Designation of Settlements 43 

Policy SETT 2 

Development within 

44 

Settlement 

Development Limits 

Policy SETT 3 

Development Opportunity 46 

Sites 

Housing Allocation HOU 1 Housing 50 

Policy HOU 2 Protected Town Centre 53 

Housing Areas 

Policy HOU 3 Accommodation for the 54 

Travelling Community 

Policy HOU 4 Social Housing 55 

Industry Allocation IND 1 Industry 60 

Transportation Policy TRAN 1 Planning Protection for 67 

Education & 

Community 

Uses 

Transportation Schemes 

Policy COY 1 Community Uses 75 

Minerals Policy MN 1 Hydrocarbon exploration 83 

3 Countryside Designation COU 1 Magherafelt Green Belt 90 

Designation COU 2 Maghera Green Belt 91 

Designation COU 3 





Sperrin Countryside Policy 

Area 

Eastern Countryside Policy 


West Lough Neagh Shores 

Area of High Scenic Value 

Slieve Gallion Slopes Area of 

High Scenic Value 

Sites of Local Nature 


92 

93 

94 

95 

95 

6

Designation COU 8 Dispersed Rural Community 96 

Designation COU 9 Historic Parks, Gardens and 97 

Demesnes 

Designation COU 10 Areas of Constraint on 98 

Mineral Developments 

Designation COU 11 Park & Ride / Park & Share 99 

Transportation Scheme at 

Castledawson roundabout 

Designation COU 12 Park & Ride / Park & Share 100 

Transportation Scheme 

outside Maghera (2 sites) 

Designation COU 13 Transportation Scheme for 101 

upgrading and dualling of A6 

between western end of 

Toome by-pass and 

junction of A31 and A6 at 

Castledawson 


widening of A6 between 

junction of A6 and A31 at 

Castledawson and 

Tamnadeese Road 


widening of A6 at Curran 

between Curran Link Road 

and McCooles Road 


new road link between A6 

and Aughrim Road 


new slip road on northern 

side of A6 between A6 and 

Tobermore Road outside 

maghera 

Zoning COU 18 Land zoned for Industry 104 

7

4 TOWNS 

Magherafelt Designation MT 01 Settlement Development 180 

Limit 

Zoning MT 02 – MT 

20 

Housing 182- 

202 

Zoning MT 21 – MT 

25 

Industry 204- 

208 

Proposal MT 26 Eastern Bypass Transportation 211 

Scheme 

Designation MT 27 

– MT 31 

Local Landscape Policy Areas 213- 

217 

Designation MT 32 Area of Townscape Character 220 

Designation MT 33 Town Centre 226 

Designation MT 34 Primary Retail Core 226 


– MT 40 

Development Opportunity 

Sites 

227- 

230 


– MT 44 

Protected Town Centre 


230- 

231 

Maghera Designation MA 01 Settlement Development 233 

Limit 

Zoning MA 02 – MT 

09 

Housing 235- 

240 

Zoning MA 10 – MA Industry 242- 

12 

Designation MA 13 

& 14 

244 

Local Landscape Policy Areas 246 

& 247 

Designation MA 15 Area of Townscape Character 250 

Designation MA 16 Town Centre 254 

Designation MA 17 Primary Retail Core 254 

Designation MA18 – Development Opportunity 256- 

MA20 


Sites 


Housing Area 

257 

257 

8

VILLAGES 

Bellaghy Designation BY 01 Settlement Development 261 

Limit 

Designation BY 02 

– BY09 

Housing Land Use Policy 

Areas 

265- 

270 

Designation BY 10 Industrial Land Use Policy 271 


Designation BY 11 & 

12 


& 274 

Castledawson Designation CN 01 Settlement Development 276 

Limit 

Designation CN 02 – 

CN 05 



277- 

282 

Designation CN 06 Industrial Land Use Policy 283 


Designation CN 07 

- CN 10 


289 

Draperstown Designation DN 01 Settlement Development 292 

Limit 

Designation DN 02 – 

DN 09 



295- 

301 

Designation DN 10 & 

11 

Industrial Land Use Policy 


302 

& 303 

Designation DN 12 & 

13 


& 306 

Tobermore Designation TE 01 Settlement Development 309 

Limit 

Designation TE 02 – 

TE 06 



310- 

315 

Designation TE 07 Industrial Land Use Policy 316 


Designation TE 08 & 

09 


& 320 

9

SMALL SETTLEMENTS 

Ballymaguigan Designation BN 01 Settlement Development 324 

Limit 

Ballynease Designation BE 01 Settlement Development 326 

Limit 

Clady Designation CY 01 Settlement Development 328 

Limit 

Designation CY 02 Local Landscape Policy Area 328 

Creagh Designation CH 01 Settlement Development 332 

Limit 

Designation CH 02 Local Landscape Policy Area 334 

Culnady Designation CD 01 Settlement Development 336 

Limit 

Designation CD 02 & 

03 


& 338 

Curran Designation CU 01 Settlement Development 340 

Limit 

Designation CU 02 Local Landscape Policy Area 342 

Desertmartin Designation DE 01 Settlement Development 344 

Limit 

Designation DE 02 Local Landscape Policy Area 344 

Glen Designation GN 01 Settlement Development 348 

Limit 

Designation GN 02 Local Landscape Policy Area 350 

Glenone Designation GE 01 Settlement Development 352 

Limit 

Designation GE 02 & 

03 


& 354 

Gracefield Designation GD 01 Settlement Development 356 

Limit 

Designation GD 02 Local Landscape Policy Area 356 

Gulladuff Designation GF 01 Settlement Development 360 

Limit 

Inishrush Designation IH 01 Settlement Development 362 

Limit 

Designation IH 02 Local Landscape Policy Area 364 

Kilross Designation KS 01 Settlement Development 366 

Limit 

Designation KS 02 Local Landscape Policy Area 368 

Knockcloghrim Designation KM 01 Settlement Development 370 

Limit 

Designation KM 02 

& 03 


& 372 

10

Longfield Designation LD 01 Settlement Development 374 

Limit 

Designation LD 02 Local Landscape Policy Area 376 

Moneyneany Designation MY 01 Settlement Development 378 

Limit 

Designation MY 02 Local Landscape Policy Area 380 

Straw Designation SW 01 Settlement Development 382 

Limit 

Designation SW 02 Local Landscape Policy Area 384 

Swatragh Designation SH 01 Settlement Development 386 

Limit 

Designation SH 02 – 

SH 04 


391 

Tamlaght Designation TT 01 Settlement Development 392 

Limit 

Designation TT 02 Local Landscape Policy Area 392 

Upperlands Designation US 01 Settlement Development 396 

Limit 

Designation US 02 Local Landscape Policy Area 396 

Designation US 03 Area of Townscape Character 400 

The Woods Designation WS 01 Settlement Development 404 

Limit 

Designation WS 02 Local Landscape Policy Area 406 

11

Preamble 

PREAMBLE 

The Magherafelt Area Plan 2015 is a development plan being 

prepared under the provisions of Part III of the Planning 

(Northern Ireland) Order 1991 by the Planning Service, an 

Agency within the Department of the Environment. 

Notice was given to Magherafelt District Council on 21st 

January 2000 that the Department intended to prepare a new 

development plan for the District for the period 2000 to 2015. 

A Notice of Intention to prepare the Plan was published in the 

local and regional press and the Belfast Gazette in the week 

beginning 1st May 2000 and comments were invited from 

the public and interested parties in respect of the issues to be 

addressed in the Plan. Consultations were also carried out with 

Magherafelt District Council, community groups, Government 

Departments and Agencies, statutory undertakers and other 

appropriate bodies. All representations received were taken into 

account in preparing the Draft Plan. 

In March 2000 the Department informed Magherafelt District 

Council that the Plan would be prepared under new procedures 

which replaced the Preliminary Proposals stage with the 

publication of an Issues Paper. 

The purpose of the Issues Paper was to offer the opportunity for 

wider and more effective public participation in the preparation 

of the Draft Plan. This focused thought on strategic matters in 

the early stages of the preparation process, in preference to 

the traditional approach of publishing for comment Preliminary 

Proposals of a site specific nature. The aim of the Issues Paper 

was to promote debate and feedback on matters which would 

shape the preparation of the Draft Plan. 

Further discussions with Magherafelt District Council took place 

in August and September 2000 on the content of the Issues 

Paper then being prepared. The Department also appointed 

Community Technical Aid (CTA) to undertake an extensive 

community and public consultation exercise on the Issues 

Paper. The first stage of CTA’s work preceded publication of the 

12

Issues Paper. That work involved identification of community, 

voluntary and environmental groups throughout Magherafelt 

District likely to have an interest in the preparation of the 

Magherafelt Area Plan. Contact was made by CTA with 248 

groups who were informed of the process and encouraged to 

participate. CTA held initial briefings with key umbrella groups 

in the area which were given the opportunity to express their 

views on issues of importance to the Plan. CTA then reported 

the results of this first stage exercise to the Department on 27th 

November 2000. 

The Department published the Magherafelt Area Plan 2015 

Issues Paper on 13 December 2000. A notice was placed in the 

local and regional newspapers and the Belfast Gazette in the 

two weeks beginning 13th December 2000 and comments were 

invited from the public and interested parties over a 14-week 

period ending 30th March 2001. Copies of the Paper were made 

available free of charge from the Divisional Planning Office, 

from the offices of Magherafelt District Council and from local 

libraries. 

The Issues Paper and the notice advised that all views expressed 

in writing by 30 March 2001, including views conveyed through 

the report of CTA, representations received during the initial 

stages of the Plan review and the representations of statutory 

consultees, including Magherafelt District Council, would be 

considered in the preparation of the Draft Plan. 

In February 2001 CTA facilitated 7 public meetings in the 

District. Planning Staff were in attendance at each meeting 

to assist and to answer questions. Each of the meetings was 

advertised in advance in the local press, and a reminder of the 

closing date for responses to the Issues Paper was published in 

the local and regional newspapers in the week beginning 12th 

March 2001. 

CTA reported to Planning Service on 30th April 2001 on the 

implementation of, and their conclusions on, the community 

consultation exercise which they had facilitated. CTA received 

responses from 43 community, voluntary and environmental 

13

Preamble 

groups and from approximately 130 people who had attended 

the public meetings. Their report is included as part of the 

Technical Supplement on Public Participation. 

During the advertised period for response to the Issues Paper 

73 representations were received by Planning Service and 

132 representations were received after that period. 170 

representations raised site specific matters and 35 were of a 

general concern. 

The Department is now publishing the Magherafelt Area 

Plan 2015 Draft Plan consisting of a Written Statement and 

accompanying maps. The Written Statement is divided into 

four parts. Part 1 sets out the Plan objectives and the strategy 

proposed to meet these objectives. Part 2 sets out the Strategic 

Plan framework comprising allocations, designations and 

policies relating to the whole District, intended to complement, 

and in reference to, the Regional Policy Context. Parts 3 and 

4 set out the specific designations, policies, proposals and 

zonings respectively for the ‘Countryside’ and the ‘Settlements’. 

These allocations, designations, policies, proposals and zonings 

comprise, and are hereafter also referred to collectively as, the 

Plan Proposals. 

The accompanying maps comprise:- 

Countryside Map – this map illustrates Plan designations, 

proposals and zonings within the District but outside the 

settlement development limits and also certain other existing 

designations and land uses for information only. Any use of 

a symbol for illustration is cross referenced to a detailed map 

within the Countryside and Settlement sections of the written 

text. 

Environmental Designations Countryside Map – this 

map illustrates by use of symbols the location of existing and 

proposed environmental designations within the District but 

outside the settlement development limits. The exact boundary 

of each is shown by an A4 map within the appendices. 

14

Archaeological Sites & Monuments Map – this map depicts 

State Care and Scheduled sites and monuments within the 

District but outside the Settlement development limits. 

Settlement Maps – each settlement map illustrates Plan 

designations, proposals and zonings within the settlement 

development limit, and may also include other designations and 

land uses for information only. Where a designation straddles 

the settlement development limit or in the case of a Local 

Landscape Policy Area ((LLPA) which is specifically settlement 

related) lies outside the limit in its entirety, the area outside the 

settlement development limit is indicated by the use of a symbol 

and cross referenced to the Countryside Map or clarification 

map. 

Clarification Maps – where a designation relating to a 

settlement straddles the settlement development limit, 

lies outside the limit in its entirety (LLPA only), or where a 

designation is difficult to distinguish, by virtue of scale or 

overlapping, a clarification map is included to assist the reader. 

Clarification maps, where provided, prevail in matters of Plan 

designations, proposals and zonings. 

Appendix Maps – show the exact boundary of existing and 

proposed environmental/conservation designations, and also 

historic parks, gardens and demesnes which will appear in an 

appendix to a Register being prepared by DOE Environment and 

Heritage Service. 

All maps are reproduced by permission of the Ordnance Survey 

of Northern Ireland on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s 

Stationery Office Crown Copyright Reserved 2004. 

15

Preamble 

Representations in support of or objections to any of the 

allocations, designations, policies, proposals and zonings 

contained in the Draft Plan should be submitted in writing and 

must be received by 5.00PM on Wednesday 9th June 2004. Late 

objections cannot be considered. 

Representations and objections should be addressed to: 

Magherafelt Area Plan 2015 

Divisional Planning Office 

County Hall 

182 Galgorm Road 

BALLYMENA 

BT42 1QF 

Tel: 02825 653333 

Fax: 02825 662127 

E Mail divisional.planning.office.ballymena@nics.gov.uk 

The Department will consider and attempt to resolve any 

objections it may receive relating to the Draft Plan. Where 

objections cannot be resolved the Department may request 

the Planning Appeals Commission to hold a public inquiry for 

the purposes of considering such objections. If a public inquiry 

is held the Department will consider the recommendations of 

the Planning Appeals Commission and then decide whether 

to adopt the Plan in whole or in part, with or without 

modification. A final version of the Plan incorporating any 

amendments or revisions will then be published. 

The Department has also prepared and is publishing a number 

of supplements to accompany the Draft Plan. These supplements 

are not part of the Plan but provide background and technical 

information that has informed the Plan Proposals. These are: 

1. Technical Supplements which deal with population 

and housing, industry, commerce, education, social and 

community facilities, tourism, open space, sport and outdoor 

recreation, public utilities, transportation and public 

participation. 

16

2. A Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement which 

includes an appraisal of environmental assets, an assessment 

of the landscape of the District, an analysis of rural 

development pressure and an appraisal of each settlement 

in terms of its character, assets and constraints, conservation 

issues and settlement development limit. 

3. A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Equality 

Impact Assessment (EQIA) Supplement comprising an 

assessment of the probable environmental and equality 

impacts of the Plan Proposals. 

In the case of any contradiction between the Written Statement 

and any other document forming part of the Draft Plan, 

including the maps and supplements, the provisions of the 

Written Statement will prevail. 

The current statutory plan for Magherafelt District is the 

Magherafelt Area Plan 1976–1996. Although the Plan has passed 

its notional end date, it will remain a material consideration in 

determining planning applications within Magherafelt District 

until such time as it is superseded by the adoption of the 

Magherafelt Area Plan 2015. 

The Draft Plan itself may constitute a material consideration 

in determining planning applications and further information 

on the weight the Department attaches to the provisions of 

emerging development plans is set out in Planning Policy 

Statement 1 - General Principles. 

Nothing in the Draft Plan (hereafter referred to as the Plan) 

should be read as a commitment that public resources will 

be provided for any specific project. All proposals for public 

expenditure are subject to economic appraisal and will also have 

to be considered having regard to the overall availability of 

resources. 

17

Preamble 

Equality of Opportunity 

The Northern Ireland Act 1998 has placed the following 

statutory requirement on each public authority; 

1. To carry out their functions with due regard to the need to 

promote equality of opportunity: 

(a) between persons of different religious belief, political 

opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual 

orientation; 

(b) between men and women generally; 

(c) between persons with a disability and persons without; 

and 

(d) 

between persons with dependants and persons without; 

and 

2. Without prejudice to its obligations under subsection (1) a 

public authority shall, in carrying out its functions relating 

to Northern Ireland, have regard to the desirability of 

promoting good relations between persons of different 

religious belief, political opinion or racial group. 

The Department has sought to ensure that the Plan does not 

have the effect of discriminating against individuals or groups 

of people who fall within these categories. The EQIA of the 

Plan Proposals has considered any potentially adverse effects on 

these groups. The EQIA is published as one of the supporting 

documents to the Written Statement. 

New Targeting Social Need 

The Department is committed to implementing the Northern 

Ireland Executive’s New Targeting Social Need (New TSN) 

policy, which involves tackling social need and social exclusion 

18

y targeting efforts and available resources towards people, 

groups and areas objectively defined as being in social need. 

This requires the application of objective measures to identify 

where deprivation occurs and then targeting existing and new 

spending to more effectively address the needs of the most 

deprived peoples and areas. 

Planning Service is not a major spending Agency. However one 

of the main functions of a development plan is to facilitate 

development and create a land use framework that will allow 

investment to take place. The Plan seeks to apply the New 

Targeting Social Need through specific Plan Proposals. 

19

Part 1 

Introduction 

21

Introduction 

INTRODUCTION 

PLAN AREA 

The Plan relates to the administrative area of Magherafelt 

District Council, an area of approximately 573 sq. km with 

a population in 2001 of 39,780. The main settlement is 

Magherafelt. Further details relating to the population of the 

settlements throughout the District are contained in Part 2 of 

the Plan and the Population and Housing Technical Supplement. 

PURPOSE OF THE PLAN 

The purpose of the Plan is to inform the general public, 

statutory authorities, developers and other interested bodies of 

the policy framework and land use proposals that will be used 

to guide development decisions within Magherafelt District over 

the Plan period 2000 – 2015. 

PLAN ALLOCATIONS, DESIGNATIONS, POLICIES, PROPOSALS 

AND ZONINGS – THE PLAN PROPOSALS 

The allocations, designations, policies, proposals and zonings 

contained in the Plan, hereafter collectively also referred 

to as the Plan Proposals, constitute considerations that the 

Department will take into account in determining planning 

applications within the District. The contents of the Plan must 

be read as a whole as often several designations, policies and 

proposals may be relevant to a particular development proposal. 

The Plan Proposals contained in the Plan should not, however, 

be read as the only tests of acceptability for development 

proposals. In making its decisions, the Department will also 

assess proposals against all planning policies and other material 

considerations that are relevant to it. The contents of the 

Plan must therefore be read in conjunction with the relevant 

contents of regional policy publications and supplementary 

planning guidance documents. 

In order to ensure that there is no public misunderstanding of 

the allocations, designations, policies, proposals and zonings, 

23

Introduction 

it must be recognised that there may be occasion when other 

material considerations outweigh one or more of these. Each 

case will be considered on its merits to assess whether an 

exception would be justified but the provisions of the Plan 

will prevail unless there are other overriding policy or material 

considerations which outweigh them and justify a contrary 

decision. 

POLICY CONTEXT 

The Plan is prepared within the context of the priorities of 

the Northern Ireland Executive as set out in the Programme 

for Government, taking into account European, National and 

Regional policies which have implications for the future pattern 

of development within the District. 

European and UK Context 

The European Union and the United Kingdom have embraced 

the principle of sustainable development based on stewardship 

of the environment and it has widened the concept to embrace 

economic and social considerations. The four objectives of 

sustainable development are:- 

• social progress that meets the needs of everyone; 

• effective protection of the environment; 

• prudent use of natural resources; and 

• maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth 

and employment. 

Regional Development Strategy 

The Regional Development Strategy for Northern Ireland 2025 

“Shaping Our Future” (RDS), which was formulated by the 

Assembly in September 2001, sets out a dynamic strategic spatial 

planning framework for Northern Ireland to guide physical 

development within the region until 2025 and it provides an 

overarching strategic framework for development plans. 

24

At the heart of the RDS is the principle of ensuring a better 

quality of life for everyone now and for generations to come by 

seeking to meet the objectives of sustainable development. 

The RDS contains a Spatial Development Strategy which aims to 

provide a strategic focus which will guide future development 

in order to provide a balanced and equitable pattern of 

sustainable development across the Region. In the context of 

the RDS, Magherafelt District lies within Rural Northern Ireland. 

The overall aim of the RDS for Rural Northern Ireland is to 

develop an attractive and prosperous rural area, based on a 

balanced and integrated approach to the development of town, 

village and countryside, contributing to the overall well-being 

of the Region as a whole. This is to be achieved by action on a 

series of Strategic Objectives and Supporting Strategic Planning 

Guidelines. 

The Planning (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 

requires the Plan to be in general conformity with the RDS. 

Regional Transportation Strategy 

The Regional Transportation Strategy 2002-2012 (RTS) was 

published in July 2002 and is a ‘daughter document’ of the 

RDS. Its purpose is to make a significant contribution towards 

achieving the longer-term vision for transportation contained 

within the RDS. 

The purpose of the RTS is to improve access to regional, national 

and international markets thereby contributing to sustainable 

patterns of development and movement, and to promote 

integration between different modes of travel. 

The RTS identifies strategic transportation investment priorities 

and considers potential funding sources and the affordability of 

planned initiatives over the next 10 years. 

25

Introduction 

Planning Policy Statements 

Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) set out the policies of the 

Department on particular aspects of land use planning and 

apply to the whole of Northern Ireland. Their contents have 

informed the Plan preparation and the Plan Proposals and they 

are material to decisions on individual planning applications 

and appeals within Magherafelt District. Details of PPSs are 

contained in Appendix 2. 

The Department has a rolling programme for preparation of 

new PPSs and review of existing PPSs. In addition a number 

of PPSs are currently being prepared by the Department for 

Regional Development which will also apply throughout 

Northern Ireland. Where new or revised PPSs are published in 

final form they will supersede the corresponding policies within 

the Plan. 

PPSs may from time to time be revised to take account of 

changing circumstances, including experience gained through 

the development planning and development control processes. 

Good practice guides may also be issued to illustrate how 

concepts contained in PPSs can best be implemented. 

A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland 

A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland (the Rural 

Strategy), published in September 1993, contains a number 

of strategic policies, but essentially comprises a compendium 

of planning policies setting out, on a topic basis, the factors 

that the Department takes into account when reacting to 

development proposals. It is of relevance to Magherafelt 

District. 

The Department has begun progressively to replace the 

Rural Strategy. The Strategic section of the document has 

been superseded by the RDS, whilst the topic sections are 

progressively being replaced by PPSs. Policies within the Rural 

Strategy remain material considerations until superseded by 

PPSs. 

26

Regional Supplementary Planning Guidance 

PLAN AIM 

The Department’s publication, “A Design Guide for Rural 

Northern Ireland,” issued in May 1994, provides guidance for 

all those who are considering building in the countryside of 

Northern Ireland. Its purpose is to improve the quality of design 

and to help ensure that new buildings fit into the landscape. 

The Department’s publication, ‘Creating Places, issued in May 

2000, in furtherance of the Quality Initiative to improve the 

quality of new housing developments, provides guidance on the 

design, character and layout of new housing areas in Northern 

Ireland. The guide describes the contributions to quality and 

sustainability that developers will be expected to make through 

design of new residential developments. 

The Department also publishes and updates as necessary a set of 

Development Control Advice Notes, which explain the planning 

criteria, and technical standards which the Department considers 

when dealing with specific categories or particular aspects of 

development in Northern Ireland. Development Control Advice 

Notes are listed in Appendix 3. 

It should be noted that the Department is continuously 

reviewing its regional planning policies and advice. It is 

therefore advisable to contact the Divisional Planning Office 

to ascertain the current relevant policies and supplementary 

guidance that apply within Magherafelt District. 

The overall aim of the Plan is to provide a planning framework 

which facilitates sustainable growth and high quality 

development in Magherafelt District throughout the Plan period 

whilst protecting and where appropriate enhancing the natural 

and man made environment. 

27

Introduction 

PLAN OBJECTIVES 

• To facilitate sustainable patterns of growth and 

development throughout the Plan area in accordance with 

the sustainability related strategic objectives of the RDS; 

• To promote Magherafelt as a local hub within Northern 

Ireland and to strengthen its role as the principal 

administrative, trade, employment and residential centre 

within the District; 

• To allocate land for additional housing development over 

the Plan period in accordance with the strategic objectives 

and guidelines contained in the RDS; 

• To facilitate appropriate development within existing urban 

areas that will promote urban renaissance, create ease of 

access to services and community facilities, and to maximise 

the use of existing infrastructure; 

• To promote compact urban forms that respect the individual 

character and identity of settlements, avoid urban sprawl 

and conserve the countryside; 

• To facilitate economic development and the creation of 

employment, taking into account the Government initiative: 

New Targeting Social Need; 

• To facilitate integration between land use planning and 

transportation in order to reduce congestion and the 

need for car journeys and to encourage a shift to more 

sustainable modes of transport, including walking, cycling 

and public transport; 

• To promote vital and viable town centres; 

• To protect and enhance the character, quality and 

biodiversity of natural and man-made environments; and 

• To facilitate the promotion of equality of opportunity and 

good relations between persons of different religious belief, 

political opinion or racial group. 

28

PLAN STRATEGY 

The Plan Strategy centres on the need to be in general 

conformity with the RDS and in particular the Spatial 

Development Strategy a major thrust of which is to promote 

more sustainable patterns of development based on:- 

• a polycentric network of growth poles integrated with 

the transport corridors and incorporating enhanced public 

transport; 

• compact urban forms; 

• more housing within existing urban areas; and 

• the sensible and sensitive use of the built heritage and the 

rural environment. 

In summary the Plan Strategy is to:- 

• sustain a living and working countryside whilst supporting 

the growth and regeneration of towns and villages and 

protecting from inappropriate development those areas 

that are vulnerable to development pressure or that are 

visually or environmentally sensitive, through Green Belt 

and Countryside Policy Area designations; 

• identify, define and designate as appropriate, areas of 

conservation, archaeological, scientific, landscape or amenity 

importance or interest, within both the natural and built 

heritage of the District; 

• provide a settlement hierarchy, designate settlement 

development limits, zone land and designate policy areas 

such as will:- 

− 

facilitate allocation of housing growth potential in 

accordance with the RDS, through a sequential approach, 

in support of urban renaissance and conservation of town 

settings and greenfield lands, by maximising as feasible 

the identified proportion within existing urban areas; 

29

Introduction 

− 

facilitate a level of housing development in each 

designated settlement that is in accordance with the 

approach set out in the RDS regarding assessment of 

individual settlement capacity and any identified special 

housing needs; 

− 

recognise that single dwelling development is likely to 

continue, at a level which is difficult to predict; and 

− 

facilitate a level of overall growth in both Magherafelt 

and Maghera which reflects their individual status as 

towns and in reference to the RDS. 

• establish key site requirements as appropriate against which 

particular site development proposals will be assessed in 

order to help achieve good quality development, to respect 

environmental assets and to facilitate the development 

of balanced communities in accordance with the strategic 

requirements of the RDS; 

• designate additional industrial land to make provision for 

an adequate supply and choice of sites for employment uses 

which take account of accessibility to major transport routes 

and the provisions of the RDS including the proximity to the 

District population, particularly in areas of economic and 

social deprivation; 

• identify, define, designate and safeguard as appropriate 

specific areas where the retention of, or provision of 

additional retail, services, recreational and other community 

facilities will positively contribute to the amenity and 

well being of the District population, subject to prevailing 

regional planning policy. 

• define, as appropriate, transportation related proposals in 

accordance with the Regional Transportation Strategy which 

are intended to facilitate improved flow of vehicular traffic 

whilst promoting reduction in car travel and the use of 

alternative modes of travel. 

30

It is proposed that the Plan will implement this Strategy 

through the Plan Proposals that are in accordance with, and also 

complement the Department’s regional planning policies. The 

Plan Proposals are contained in Parts 2, 3 and 4 of the Plan. 

31

Part 2 

Strategic Plan Framework 

33



This part of the Written Statement sets out the Strategic Plan 

Framework comprising allocations, designations, and policies 

relating to the whole District, which complement, and are in 

reference to, the Regional Policy Context. 

ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION 

Magherafelt District contains a diverse range of both upland 

and lowland landscapes whose wildlife habitats and heritage 

features give the District its distinctive identity. A detailed 

analysis is given in the Countryside Assessment Technical 

Supplement. 

The story of human activity within the Plan area is illustrated 

by archaeological sites and monuments, vernacular and 

historic buildings, features and structures surviving from past 

industries, planned parkland landscapes and the pattern of 

streets and buildings in the District’s towns. This heritage is 

finite and vulnerable and it is important that it be cherished and 

protected for the benefit and enjoyment of both present and 

future generations. The District contains a wealth of recorded 

archaeological monuments and buildings, listed as being of 

special architectural or historic interest, and a number of historic 

parks, gardens and demesnes of special historical interest. There 

is one designated Conservation Area (Draperstown) in the 

District. 

Sites of conservation importance are identified on Map No. 1 

Countryside Map, Map No. 2 Environmental Designations Map, 

relevant settlement maps and in the Plan appendices. 

REGIONAL POLICY CONTEXT 

The RDS is based on a number of guiding principles, one of 

which is the protection and enhancement of the environment 

through an approach to development and policy formulation, 

which has the condition of the environment as a central 

deciding factor. One of the key regional challenges will 

therefore be to accommodate future development while 

protecting and caring for the environment. 

35


The Department’s regional planning policies for the protection 

of conservation interests are currently set out in PPS 2 - Planning 

and Nature Conservation, and PPS 6 - Planning, Archaeology and 

the Built Heritage. 

Other Departmental regional planning policies in relation 

to the environment including protection of rural landscapes, 

assessment of environmental effects of proposals and Areas of 

Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) are currently set out within 

the Rural Strategy. 

The Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy 2002 endorses the 

recommendations of the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group 

as the framework for biodiversity action. The Strategy describes 

the main features of biodiversity in Northern Ireland, identifies 

the main factors affecting it and proposes a number of measures 

to support biodiversity conservation up to 2016. 

CON 1 

Areas of High Scenic Value 

Within designated Areas of High Scenic Value planning 

permission will not be granted to development 

proposals that would adversely affect the quality and 

character of the landscape. A Landscape Analysis must 

accompany development proposals in these areas 

to indicate the likely effects of the proposal on the 

landscape. Planting and retention of indigenous tree 

species must be an integral part of these proposals 

and the site must be large enough to accommodate 

any mitigation measures identified. Where feasible 

the reuse of traditional buildings will be required. 

Areas of High Scenic Value are designated on the West Lough 

Neagh Shores and the Slieve Gallion Slopes as identified in the 

Countryside Section in Part 3 of the Plan and as indicated on 

Map No. 1 - Countryside. 

In determining applications for planning permission within 

Areas of High Scenic Value the Department will consider how 

proposals will conserve and enhance the landscape of the Area 

36

of High Scenic Value. Particular regard will be paid to the siting, 

massing, scale and design, materials, finishes and landscaping 

of proposals in order to ensure that development will integrate 

well into the topography and landscape and respect the scale 

of, and materials used in existing vernacular and traditional 

buildings in the surrounding area. 

CON 2 

Local Landscape Policy Areas (LLPAs) 

Within designated Local Landscape Policy Areas 

planning permission will not be granted to 

development proposals that would adversely affect 

their intrinsic environmental value and character, 

which includes those features and areas set out in Part 

4 of the Plan. 

Planning permission will also only be granted to 

development proposals which meet any additional key 

development requirements set out as appropriate in 

Part 4 of the Plan. 

In accordance with PPS 6 – Planning, Archaeology and the 

Built Heritage– LLPAs are designated to help protect the 

environmental assets within or adjoining settlements as 

identified in the Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement. 

LLPAs are designated in and adjoining the following towns and 

villages: 

Magherafelt, Maghera, Bellaghy, Castledawson, Draperstown 

and Tobermore 

and in or adjoining the following small settlements: 

Clady, Creagh, Culnady, Curran, Desertmartin, Glen, Glenone, 

Gracefield, Inishrush, Kilross, Knockcloghrim, Longfield, 

Moneyneany, Straw, Swatragh, Tamlaght , Upperlands, The 

Woods 

37


The LLPAs are identified on Map No. 1 - Countryside and the 

relevant Settlement Maps and Clarification Maps in Part 4 of the 

Plan. 

The use of Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) will be considered 

by the Department for those LLPAs where trees contribute 

significantly to visual amenity, or where trees are considered 

under threat from development. In cases where a Tree 

Preservation Order is already in existence the LLPA policy will 

act in addition to and without prejudice to any other statutory 

provision associated with this Order. 

Where riverbanks are included within a LLPA the Department 

will normally require that access is provided to the river corridor, 

as part of any development proposal. A landscape buffer may 

also be required between any development and the river 

corridor to maintain its intrinsic environmental value. 

Where LLPAs contain significant parts of historic parks, 

gardens or demesnes, conservation areas, listed buildings, and 

archaeological monuments this policy will apply in addition to 

and without prejudice to any other statutory provision or policy 

relating to these features. 

CON 3 

Sites of Local Nature Conservation 

Importance 

Within designated Sites of Local Nature Conservation 

Importance planning permission will not be granted to 

development proposals that would be liable to have a 

significantly adverse effect on the nature conservation 

interests of these sites. 

In accordance with PPS 2, sites of local nature conservation 

importance are designated within the open countryside as 

identified on Map No. 1 - Countryside and as shown on Map 

Nos. 4-75 in Part 3 of the Plan. 

Where exceptionally a development is permitted which 

might adversely affect the nature conservation interests, the 

38

Department will endeavour to ensure that such effects are 

kept to a minimum. Consideration will be given to the use of 

conditions in order to protect the conservation interest or to 

require appropriate mitigation measures. Where appropriate, 

developers may be asked to enter into a planning agreement to 

secure these outcomes. 

CON 4 

Areas of Townscape Character (ATCs) 

Within designated Areas of Townscape Character 

planning permission will only be granted to 

development proposals where the following criteria 

are met: 

• The proposed development maintains the overall 

character and respects the built form of the area; 

• The siting, scale, massing and design, and 

the materials and finishes of the proposed 

development are sympathetic to the character of 

and qualities displayed in the area; 

• The proposed development protects or enhances 

the key features of the designated area including 

those set out in Part 4 of the Plan; 

Works to existing buildings, including alteration and 

extension, shall be subordinate in form and scale, 

and complementary in terms of architectural style, 

detailing and materials, to the host building(s). 

Special regard shall be given to the important 

compositional role of corner sites and key buildings. 

Where the application is for signage, the size, shape 

and position of signage shall reflect the scale and 

façade of the host building. Signs on timber fascia 

39


shall comprise traditional hand painted signs or 

hanging boards, and lighting shall be unobtrusive and 

remote. Only exceptionally, when it is well designed 

and there is no potential for clutter shall signage be 

permitted above fascia level. 

In accordance with PPS 6, ATCs are designated in Magherafelt, 

Maghera and Upperlands as indicated on the relevant 

Settlement Map Nos. 81a, 82a, 106a and on clarification Map 

Nos. 81c, 82c and 106c. Planning applications within ATCs will 

be considered in the context of the above policy and PPS 7 

– Quality Residential Environments until further specific regional 

planning policy to guide development in ATCs is in place. 

All settlements have their own identity and character, derived 

from the sense of place that comes from human activity, which 

over time has shaped the present built form. In some places, the 

variety, or consistency of the overall character, including style of 

construction and in some instances landscaping, is particularly 

distinctive or pleasing, and merits specific protection from 

inappropriate change. 

The Department wishes to ensure that new development 

respects the distinctive character and appearance of the 

townscape in the designated areas. The Department also 

considers that the characteristic built form in these areas 

can inform developers in preparing development proposals 

elsewhere in these settlements, in order to reinforce local 

identity. More detail on the traditional character, appearance 

and key features of the ATCs and advice on development within 

these areas is provided in Part 4 of the Plan. 

Areas of Archaeological Potential 

In accordance with PPS 6 – Planning, Archaeology and the Built 

Heritage, Areas of Archaeological Potential are highlighted 

for information in the Countryside Assessment Technical 

Supplement. They relate to: 

• Magherafelt; 

• Maghera; 

• Bellaghy; 

40

• Castledawson; 

• Tobermore; 

• Culnady; 

• Curran; 

• Desertmartin; and 

• Gulladuff 

These areas indicate to developers where, on the basis of 

current knowledge, it is likely that archaeological remains will 

be encountered in the course of continuing development and 

change. Developers are advised to liase with the Department 

before submitting any proposals within these areas. 

Planning policy in relation to archaeology is contained in PPS 6. 

41

Settlement 

SETTLEMENT 

The 2001 census determines the 2001 population of Magherafelt 

District at 39780 persons. Based on this census information it is 

estimated that approximately 43% of the household population 

of the District at 2001 was living within the existing limit of 

development of its 2 towns and 4 villages, with the remaining 

57% living in the small settlements and open countryside. 

Further details relating to the population of the settlements 

throughout the District are contained in the Population and 

Housing Technical Supplement. 

Magherafelt functions as the major centre for housing and 

employment, retail and professional services, and for cultural 

activities, including sport and leisure. The 2001 census estimates 

that approximately 8289 persons, or 21% of the District 

population, were living within the existing limit of development 

at 2001. 

Maghera functions as a secondary housing and service centre. 

The 2001 census estimates that approximately 3648 persons, or 

9% of the District population, were living within the existing 

limit of development limit at 2001. 

The villages of Bellaghy, Castledawson, Draperstown and 

Tobermore currently perform a lesser, but locally significant 

role, in providing housing, employment and services for their 

residents and the wider rural community. 

Small settlements, at the lower level of the settlement hierarchy, 

provide a community focus for their immediate rural area but 

are limited in their infrastructure, services and employment 

provision and offer only very limited growth potential. 


The Spatial Development Strategy of the RDS which provides a 

framework for the future physical development of the Region 

identifies a hierarchy of rural settlements based on urban 

hubs (comprising main towns and small towns) and a strong 

42

ural community living either in villages, small settlements or 

dispersed dwellings in the open countryside. 

RDS strategic planning guideline SPG RNI 3 is ‘To support the 

network of service centres based on main towns, small towns 

and villages in Rural Northern Ireland.’ Measures identified to 

implement this Strategic Planning Guideline include:- 

• RNI 3.1 which is to ‘Develop a network of strong main towns 

as the major locations providing employment, services 

and a range of cultural and leisure amenities for both 

townspeople and rural communities.’ 

• RNI 3.3 which is to sustain and consolidate the role of small 

towns and villages as local rural centres. 

Magherafelt town is identified as a Local Hub in the Spatial 

Development Strategy. The RDS anticipates future growth in line 

with Magherafelt’s role as a local service centre. It also identifies 

particular strengths and opportunities which have the potential 

to support further growth. 

SETT 1 

Designation of Settlements 

Settlements are designated in accordance with a 

hierarchy which consists of: 

Towns: Magherafelt, Maghera 

Villages: Bellaghy, Castledawson, Draperstown, 

Tobermore. 

Small Settlements: Ballymaguigan, Ballynease, 

Clady, Creagh, Culnady, Curran, Desertmartin, Glen, 

Glenone, Gracefield, Gulladuff, Inishrush, Kilross, 

Knockcloghrim, Longfield, Moneyneany, Straw, 

Swatragh, Tamlaght, Upperlands, The Woods. 

43

Settlement 

The overleaf settlement hierarchy takes account of a wide range 

of factors, including the Spatial Development Strategy in the 

RDS, the population of individual settlements and an assessment 

of the role or function of settlements, including the retail base, 

employment opportunities and community services (e.g. social, 

religious, educational, recreational), existing hard infrastructure 

(e.g. sewerage services, water supply, drainage) including spare 

capacity and public transport provision. 

The settlement hierarchy also takes account of an assessment 

of the character and environmental setting of the settlements 

including their potential to accommodate further growth. 

New small settlements have been designated at Ballymaguigan, 

Ballynease, Glen, Gracefield, Kilross, Longfield and The Woods. 

SETT 2 

Development within Settlement 

Development Limits 

Planning permission will only be granted on zoned 

sites for development proposals that comply with the 

specified use. 

Planning permission will only be granted for 

alternative types of development in a Land Use Policy 

Area where the development proposal will: 

• be subordinate to the preferred use and occupy a 

small portion of the Land Use Policy Area; 

• exist in close proximity to the preferred use 

without adverse environmental consequences; 

• not prejudice accessibility to the remainder of the 

Land Use Policy Area, and 

• not prejudice potential in the settlement to meet 

overall development needs. 

44

Favourable consideration will only be given 

to development proposals within settlement 

development limits, including zoned sites within 

towns and land use policy areas within villages, 

provided that the proposal: 

• is sensitive to the size and character of the 

settlement in terms of scale, form, design and use 

of materials. 

• is, where applicable, in accordance with any key 

site requirements contained in Part 4 of the Plan. 

Settlement development limits are designated for each town, 

village and small settlement in the District, including the 7 

additional small settlements, as set out in Part 4 of the Plan. 

In accordance with PPS 1 – General Principles, zoned land and 

Land Use Policy Areas, along with the key site requirements 

which developers will be expected to meet, are set out and 

shown in Parts 3 and 4 of the Plan. The zoning of land provides 

a basis for rational and consistent decisions on planning 

applications and provides a measure of certainty about which 

types of development will and will not be permitted. 

Development proposals in the towns, villages and small 

settlements of the District will be considered in the context of 

prevailing planning policy and the Plan Proposals. 

It is not the Department’s practice to zone lands for specific 

purposes within villages and small settlements. Zoning creates 

a degree of inflexibility in the development of those lands 

which can frustrate the orderly development of smaller 

settlements. Land Use Policy Areas identify lands considered to 

be particularly appropriate for specific types of development. 

For example they can indicate where the main housing growth 

areas may take place in a village. They can also be used to 

identify sites which are particularly suitable for industrial or 

business use, or for which there is a clear indication of potential 

demand for such use. 

45

Settlement 

SETT 3 

Development Opportunity Sites 

Within designated Development Opportunity Sites 

development proposals shall be in accordance with 

the key site requirements set out in Part 4 of the Plan. 

In accordance with PPS 1 – General Principles, zoned land 

(development opportunity sites) with the key site requirements 

which developers will be expected to meet, are set out and 

shown in Part 4 of the Plan. The zoning of land provides a basis 

for rational and consistent decisions on planning applications 

and provides a measure of certainty about which types of 

development will and will not be permitted. 

Development Opportunity Sites are designated in Magherafelt 

and Maghera. 

Development Opportunity Sites are designated where lands 

are under-utilised or vacant and where development, which 

might provide a mix of new uses, could promote the vitality and 

viability of the urban area or town centre, or could enhance the 

townscape, for example by closing frontage gaps or by replacing 

unattractive features. Such development within a town centre 

could enhance shopping frontages, encourage pedestrian 

movement and so assist commercial growth. 

Proposals to develop these sites will be considered in the 

context of prevailing regional planning policy and the 

requirements and guidance contained in Part 4 of the Plan. 

The initiation of development proposals for sites will be a 

matter for landowners and interested developers. 

46

Housing 

HOUSING 

Housing continues to represent the greatest pressure on the 

land resource throughout Northern Ireland and in Magherafelt 

District, as elsewhere, it is likely to continue to be the most 

widespread urban land-use change for many years to come. 

Need for additional housing land is created by the formation 

of new households through natural increase in the population, 

net inward migration and the trend to smaller household sizes. 

That need includes variety in dwelling size, type and tenure to 

meet the particular requirements of groups such as the elderly, 

people with limited incomes and people with disabilities. 


Prevailing regional planning policy for housing development 

is currently contained in the RDS, in relevant PPSs, and in the 

Rural Strategy. PPS 12 Housing in Settlements is currently being 

prepared by the Department for Regional Development. 

The RDS has introduced a radical change in the manner by 

which the amount of land for housing development is to be 

allocated to, and distributed throughout, the District. 

The RDS allocates 3600 housing units to Magherafelt District as 

an appropriate “Housing Growth Indicator” for the period 31 

December 1998 to 31 December –2015. The Plan must distribute 

the growth allocated to the District in accordance with the 

strategic planning guidance in the RDS. In this context there are 

two RDS Strategic Planning Guidelines which are particularly 

important: 

SPG-HOU 1 which is to manage housing growth in response to 

changing housing need. 

This SPG sets down an evaluation framework which is intended 

as an aid for the Plan in the allocation of housing growth to the 

various settlements within the District. The framework consists 

of a series of tests and an assessment against each of these is 

made in respect of each of the towns and villages in the District. 

The results of this assessment are set out in the Population and 


47

Housing 

SPG-HOU 4 which is to promote a drive to provide more housing 

within existing urban areas. 

This SPG promotes compact urban forms and encourages more 

housing within existing urban areas. The regional target for the 

share of new housing growth to be accommodated within the 

existing urban areas of towns and cities of over 5000 population 

has been set at 60%. The potential for achieving this regional 

target is determined through the development plan process by 

way of urban capacity studies. 

Details of the housing allocation process, urban capacity studies 

and urban footprints are contained in the Population and 


The RDS (Policy SPG–HOU6) encourages the development of 

balanced local communities through providing housing choice 

to meet different needs. 

PPS 7 - Quality Residential Environments - sets out the 

Departments regional planning policies for achieving quality 

in the design and layout of new residential developments. 

It embodies the Government’s commitment to sustainable 

development and the Quality Initiative. The Statement 

contains criteria-based policies against which all proposals for 

new residential development including those on land zoned 

will be assessed, with the exception of single dwellings in the 

countryside. These will continue to be assessed under policies 

contained in the Rural Strategy, pending publication of a PPS by 

the Department for Regional Development, which will apply to 

the countryside. 

Supplementary planning guidance for residential development 

is contained in “Creating Places - Achieving Quality in 

Residential Development”, published in May 2000. It is the 

principle guide for use by intending developers in the design of 

all new housing areas. 

In addition, the Department published in June 2002 a revised 

Development Control Advice Note (DCAN) 8: Housing in Existing 

Urban Areas. This will be material to the determination of 

48

planning applications for small unit housing within existing 

urban areas. 

The Department will require housing proposals to be designed 

and implemented in accordance with prevailing regional 

planning policies and with the relevant Plan Proposals, 

including the key site requirements set out for zoned land. 

The key site requirements set out the most important matters 

which developers will need to address in bringing forward 

proposals for specific sites. They focus on the main infrastructure 

requirements and local design requirements. 

Developers should however note that while the key site 

requirements for the development of zoned sites and Housing 

Land Use Policy Areas are set out in the Plan, the need for 

certain supplementary infrastructural works and/or mitigation 

measures necessary to facilitate the specific scale and form 

of development proposed may only be identified at planning 

application stage. An example may be as a result of an 

Environmental Impact Assessment or a Transport Assessment. 

Many development sites will require the improvement of 

existing infrastructure and/or the provision of additional 

supplementary infrastructural works to enable the development 

to take place. The infrastructural works may include transport 

infrastructure, water and sewerage or land drainage. It is 

presently government policy that developers should bear 

the cost of works required to facilitate their development 

proposals. This policy applies to both public and private sector 

developments. Where appropriate, planning agreements under 

Article 40 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 may 

be used to enable developers to proceed. Developers are urged 

to liaise early in the preparation of their proposals with the 

relevant Department, Agency or service provider. 

Some development sites will require existing infrastructure, 

such as major watermains and sewers, and designated 

watercourses, to be safeguarded. This may include ensuring 

that such infrastructure is not built over and that necessary 

wayleave strips are retained to facilitate maintenance. It is 

the responsibility of the developer to liaise with the relevant 

agencies in this regard. 

49

Housing 

Allocation HOU 1 Housing 

A total of approximately 89.4 hectares of land is 

zoned for housing in the 2 towns, comprising: 

• Magherafelt: 68.3 hectares 

• Maghera: 21.1 hectares 

Inside the designated settlement development 

limits for the villages approximately 35 hectares are 

identified in Housing Land Use Policy Areas. 


and Housing Land Use Policy Areas, along with the key site 

requirements which developers will be expected to meet, are set 

out and shown in Part 4 of the Plan. The zoning of land provides 

a basis for rational and consistent decisions on planning 

applications and provides a measure of certainty about which 

types of development will and will not be permitted. 

Details of the housing allocation process are set out in the 

Population and Housing Technical Supplement. 

Further to this allocation an allowance is made for 1300 

dwellings in the small settlements and countryside. The 

settlement development limits of the small settlements are 

designated to take account of this. 

In view of the amount of committed land, the level of allocation 

to the towns and the need to ensure choice and an equitable 

distribution of housing land, it is considered inappropriate to 

phase zoned housing land. 

Houses built from 31 December 1998 to 31 December 1999 

50 

Housing units constructed between 31 December 1998 and the 

Plan base date at the end of December 1999 are included in the 

overall figures for housing yield since this period falls within 

the full operational period of the provisions of the RDS. The 

Population and Housing Technical Supplement provides details 

of the units constructed within the towns and villages during 

this period.

Houses built since January 2000 

Housing units constructed throughout the District since January 

2000 contribute to the housing supply over the Plan period. The 

Population and Housing Technical Supplement provides details 

of units constructed since January 2000 within the towns and 

villages and which are included in the housing land supply for 

these settlements. Land developed for 10 dwellings or more 

since January is included in the housing zonings in Magherafelt 

and Maghera and in the Housing Land Use Policy Areas in the 

villages. 

Land with extant planning approval for housing 

Windfall Sites 

There is a significant amount of undeveloped land with extant 

planning approval for housing in the towns and villages 

which is considered as committed land. Land with extant 

planning approval and some sites the subject of current 

applications which are sufficiently advanced to be considered 

as commitments, contribute to the potential supply of housing 

land. Sites where there is an approved yield of 10 or more 

dwellings along with sites where there is an unspecified yield 

(but with potential for 10 or more dwellings) are included in the 

formal zonings in the towns and Housing Land Use Policy Areas 

in the villages. 

Windfall development is potential future housing development 

on land not designated for housing within the urban footprint 

of towns. It can arise, for example, as a result of plot subdivision 

or property conversion and can contribute to the 

housing land supply over the Plan period. Accordingly, past 

trends and broad-based survey techniques have been used 

to estimate the potential level of windfall development that 

might occur during the Plan period and this has been taken 

into account in the housing allocation process for the towns. 

The implications of densities and yields achieved in practice will 

be considered at the time of the Plan review in 2008. Details 

of windfall estimation are contained in the Population and 


51

Housing 

Land within Urban Footprints 

Site Densities 

The RDS aims to provide an increased share of future residential 

development within the existing urban footprint to reduce 

greenfield housing extensions and to encourage compact urban 

forms, in order to promote sustainable forms of development. 

The RDS states that targets for individual towns will be set 

through the development plan process. 

In Magherafelt District it is anticipated that land within 

urban footprints will provide approximately 518 dwellings 

in Magherafelt town and 223 dwellings in Maghera. These 

estimated figures include the following elements: 

• Dwellings built between January 2000 and August 2003. 

• Commitments (potential yield from sites with extant 

planning approval or which are the subject of current 

planning applications considered as commitments). 

• Additional yield from uncommitted urban capacity sites. 

• Windfall allowance. 

In Magherafelt town it is estimated that development within 

urban footprints will represent approximately 30% to 34% of 

the total housing provision for the town over the Plan period. 

In Maghera the corresponding figure is estimated at 43% to 

44%. The remaining housing allocation for each town will be 

provided on greenfield sites beyond the defined urban footprint 

of the respective towns. 

The Population and HousingTechnical Supplement provides 

details of estimated yields for sites within towns and villages. 

The higher anticipated yields in terms of units constructed 

on some sites within the urban footprint reflects the higher 

densities expected on these compared to greenfield sites. 

Site densities are specified in the key site requirements in 

Part 4 of the Plan in line with prevailing regional policy and 

52

in response to specific site circumstances. A minimum site 

density has been specified in the key site requirements for 

urban capacity sites and greenfield sites within the towns of 

Magherafelt and Maghera and for Housing Land Use Policy 

Areas in the villages. This is to ensure the optimum use of land 

and to accommodate the housing allocation identified for each 

settlement in the Plan. 

A maximum site density is also stipulated for greenfield sites 

within the towns and on greenfield sites beyond village cores. 

This is to ensure that greenfield sites are not developed to 

excess at the expense of urban capacity lands or lands within 

the core areas of villages. It will also minimise the potential 

for significant divergence between the Plan housing allocation 

framework and the RDS strategic objectives. 

Development will be acceptable within the specified density 

range. A maximum density has not been set for urban capacity 

sites or sites within the core areas of villages. The implications 

of densities and yields will be considered at the time of the Plan 

review in 2008. 

Policy HOU 2 



Within designated Protected Town Centre Housing 

Areas planning permission will not be granted for 

redevelopment or change of use from housing. 

In accordance with the consultation draft of PPS 12 – Housing 

in Settlements, Protected Town Centre Housing Areas are 

designated in Magherafelt and Maghera as identified on the 

relevant town centre maps in Part 4 of the Plan. 

The Department will resist the spread of commercial uses into 

areas which have a useful longer term residential life. They 

provide a valuable housing stock and are homes for established 

communities which contribute to the variety and vitality of life 

in the town centre. 

53

Housing 

Policy HOU 3 

Accommodation for the 

Travelling Community 

Development proposals for new accommodation 

for the Travelling Community will only be granted 

planning permission where all the following criteria 

are met: 

• there is reasonable, safe and direct access on 

to a public road and that measures have been 

introduced to provide access to public transport 

and non car modes of transport; 

• the site is relatively flat and capable of 

development with landscaping and boundary 

definition; 

• there is provision for workspace, off-pitch parking, 

grazing areas, play space and visitor parking; 

• there is provision of drinking water, electricity, 

sewage, refuse disposal and drainage and street 

lighting. 

In addition, any proposal will be required to comply with other 

relevant prevailing planning policies, in particular PPS 7, Quality 

Residential Environments. 

Within the context of meeting local housing need and ensuring 

balanced communities it is important to deal with the needs of 

the travelling community. Therefore, proposals for traveller’s 

accommodation that meet identified local need should be 

encouraged, subject to meeting the criteria above. These 

proposals will be expected to clearly demonstrate how they 

meet identified local need and Planning Service will assess this 

in consultation with Northern Ireland Housing Executive. 

54

In meeting the criteria above peripheral sites for traveller’s 

accommodation on cut-off sections of road residual or waste 

areas are unlikely to be acceptable. As with all development 

proposals, careful consideration will need to be given to the 

impact of the proposal on both surrounding land uses and the 

environment. Proposals that have a significant detrimental 

impact on surrounding land uses or the environment will be 

resisted. 

Policy HOU 4 of the Rural Strategy requires development plans 

to take account of the accommodation needs of the travelling 

community and states that plans may identify locations suitable 

for travellers sites, or set out site selection criteria. The RDS, 

(SPG-HOU 6) also requires that consideration must be given to 

the distinctive needs of the travelling community. 

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has confirmed that 

Travellers housing needs have been assessed and considered 

to be fully met for the next five year period in the Plan area. 

Further consultation will be carried out with NIHE on this issue 

at the time of the Plan review in 2008. 

The approach set out in the Plan is in accordance with the 

consultation draft of PPS12 - Housing in Settlements as being 

prepared by DRD. 

Policy HOU 4 

Social Housing 

In considering applications for planning permission 

for housing, Planning Service will seek to ensure that, 

where a need is established by NIHE, provision is 

made for a suitable mix of housing types and tenures 

to meet the full range of market and social housing 

needs. 

SPG-HOU 6 of the RDS encourages the development of balanced 

local communities by providing a mix of housing tenures and 

types. This includes social housing targeted to meet identified 

needs, where such need arises. 

55

Housing 

The Plan makes provision to meet need as it arises and as 

identified by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in 

consultation with Planning Service. Implementation will be 

achieved through the application of Quality Initiative principles 

to specific development proposals and, where appropriate, 

through Planning Agreements to secure a proportion of social 

housing in major new developments. 

In its Interim Housing Needs Assessment Statement, NIHE 

confirmed that the Magherafelt General Needs Social Housing 

market is stable with annual housing allocations meeting 

current housing stress levels. A number of schemes are 

programmed between 2003 and 2008 to meet anticipated 

demand. 

The Social New Build programme has identified the schemes 

necessary to meet supported housing needs up to 2006 

identified by Homefirst Trust. It is anticipated that Housing 

Associations will identify and purchase suitable sites and/or 

properties to progress these schemes. Additional need has been 

assumed for 2006/07 and 2007/08 in the absence of substantive 

data. 

Affordable Housing 

Policy SPG- HOU 6.4 of the RDS places an onus on development 

plans to consider if there is a need for an exceptional housing 

land response to ensure a local supply of affordable housing and 

if local planning policies are required as a result of this. 

The affordable housing issue will be addressed in the 

forthcoming PPS 12 - Housing in Settlements - to be published 

by the Department for Regional Development. There is currently 

no mechanism in place for the Plan to specifically address this 

issue in respect of its housing designations. To date, detailed 

analysis on levels of affordability throughout the Magherafelt 

District Council Area have not been made available. 

The Plan however focuses development at higher densities 

in urban areas, promotes mixed housing developments to 

56

Second Homes 

accommodate balanced communities and promotes improved 

infrastructure and communications in the District. These 

planning measures may indirectly make a positive contribution 

to affordability issues. 

Pressure from second home development was not raised as an 

issue as part of the public participation process leading to the 

formulation of the Plan Proposals. The 2001 Census indicates 

there were only 14 second homes in the District at the time of 

the Census. 

57

Industry 

INDUSTRY 

Industry and employment opportunities within the District 

are largely concentrated within the two main towns of 

Magherafelt and Maghera and also in the rural area close to 

Creagh. However there is also a significant industrial base in 

Castledawson, Draperstown and Tobermore. The unemployment 

rate within the District has reflected the downward trend in 

Northern Ireland, and according to the 2001 Census, it is below 

the Northern Ireland average. 

The 1999 Census of Employment figures for Magherafelt District 

(excluding agriculture) indicates that 27% of the workforce are 

employed in manufacturing, 13% in construction and 60% in 

services. Whilst this pattern broadly reflects that of Northern 

Ireland as a whole, the importance of the manufacturing and 

construction sectors in Magherafelt District is relatively greater 

than most other District Council areas. 

The Magherafelt Area Plan 1976-1996 zoned land for industry in 

Magherafelt, Castledawson and Tobermore. 

Of the 21.5 hectares of land previously zoned for industry 

within Magherafelt District, 4.8 hectares remained undeveloped 

in August 2002. In addition to remaining zoned land, an 

additional 28 hectares of industrial land was approved in 1999 

at the Creagh for Invest Northern Ireland (INI). 

Some industrial development has also occurred outside zoned 

industrial sites. 


The RDS promotes a balanced spread of economic development 

opportunities across the region focused on the main regional 

cities and urban hubs/clusters. It places an onus on development 

plans to provide a generous and continuous supply of land for 

employment purposes. 

58

The RDS aims to exploit the economic development potential 

of the key transport corridors by promoting and exploiting the 

potential for economic development at selected locations on the 

strategic network of key transport corridors and links. 

The RDS proposes a regional portfolio of Strategic Employment 

Locations (SELs) and lists the criteria which are to be used 

to identify them. It also states that SELs will be identified in 

development plans. The Department for Regional Development 

is currently carrying out a study into SELs in conjunction with 

the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment, Invest 

Northern Ireland, the Department of Education and Learning 

and the DOE. It is expected that the work will be completed by 

the Spring of 2004. 

Regional planning policy for industry is currently set out in PPS 

4 - Industrial Development. This PPS is currently being revised 

and a Public Consultation Draft - PPS 4 - Industry, Business and 

Distribution was published in January 2003. 

Directive 96/82/EC, known as the Seveso II Directive, was 

implemented in Northern Ireland by the Control of Major- 

Accident Hazards Regulations (NI) 2000 and the Planning 

(Control of Major-Accidents Hazards) Regulations (NI) 2000. 

These are specifically concerned with the implementation of 

Article 12 of the Directive which requires that the objectives 

of preventing major accidents and limiting their consequences 

are taken into account in land-use planning policies and that 

these objectives are pursued through controls. There is also 

a requirement to set up appropriate consultation procedures 

to facilitate implementation of these Regulations. Further 

information is contained within the Industry Technical 

Supplement to the Plan. 

The Plan does not identify new development sites for the use or 

storage of hazardous substances. The determination of planning 

permission for such proposals may entail the submission of an 

Environmental Statement, which may be accompanied by an 

application for consent to store hazardous materials on a site. 

Granting consent to store hazardous substances would establish 

a consultation distance within which Planning Service is required 

59

Industry 

to consult with Health and Safety Executive (Northern Ireland) 

and DOE Environment and Heritage Service on proposals for 

new development. 

Details of such guidance and procedures for controlling 

development in relation to hazardous substances are contained 

in the Department’s publication entitled “Development Control 

Advice Note 12 - Planning Controls for Hazardous Substances” 

available from Divisional Planning Offices or Planning Service 

Headquarters. 

Existing Industrial Land 

Major areas of existing industrial development within towns 

and villages are shown for information only on the relevant 

settlement maps in Part 4 of the Plan. Lands in existing industrial 

use outside defined settlements are shown for information only 

on Map No. 1 – Countryside and on Map No. 80 – Industrial 

Lands, Creagh, in Part 3 of the Plan. Within these areas 

planning applications will be determined in accordance with the 

provisions of prevailing regional planning policy. Smaller areas 

of existing industrial development not identified are however 

also covered by the same provisions of prevailing regional 

planning policy. 

Allocation IND 1 

Industry 

A total of approximately 44.4 hectares of land is zoned 

for industry in the 2 towns and at Creagh, comprising: 

• Magherafelt: 14.23 hectares 

• Maghera: 10.85 hectares 

• Creagh: 19.3 hectares 

Inside the designated settlement development limits 

for the villages 5.5 hectares are identified in Industrial 

Land Use Policy Areas. 


and Industrial Land Use Policy Areas, along with the key site 

60

equirements which developers will be expected to meet, are 

set out and shown in Parts 3 and 4 of the Plan. The zoning of 

land provides a basis for rational and consistent decisions on 

planning applications and provides a measure of certainty about 

which types of development will and will not be permitted. 

Details of industrial land supply are contained in the Industry 

Technical Supplement. 

Adequate sites are identified for industrial uses to meet the 

needs of industry and business enterprises over the Plan period. 

Development of industrial land will require to be designed and 

implemented in accordance with prevailing regional planning 

policy on industry and with the Plan Proposals, including those 

stated key site requirements which are specific to certain sites 

and which should be taken into account in the preparation of 

site proposals. 

Key site requirements may include matters relating to the 

provision of infrastructure, landscaping and access arrangements 

as well as requirements relating to the type, design and layout 

of industrial development. 

Developers should however note that while the key site 

requirements for the development of zoned sites and Industrial 

Land Use Policy Areas are set out in the Plan, the need for 

certain supplementary infrastructural works and/or mitigation 

measures necessary to facilitate the specific scale and form 

of development proposed may only be identified at planning 

application stage. An example may be as a result of an 

Environmental Impact Assessment or a Transport Assessment. 

Some development sites will require existing infrastructure, 

such as major watermains and sewers, and designated 

watercourses, to be safeguarded. This may include ensuring 

that such infrastructure is not built over and that necessary 

wayleave strips are retained to facilitate maintenance. It is 

the responsibility of the developer to liaise with the relevant 

agencies in this regard. 

61

Retailing, Services And Offices 

RETAILING, SERVICES AND OFFICES 

Magherafelt is the primary commercial centre within 

Magherafelt District and is well served by banks, offices and 

retail services. It is also the main administrative and service 

centre for the District. Meadow Lane Shopping Centre adds to 

the variety of retailing provided by independent traders. 

Maghera provides an important commercial focal point and 

service centre for its rural hinterland. 

The villages throughout the Plan area provide a range and 

variety of local retail and service facilities for their immediate 

areas. 


The RDS identifies Magherafelt town as a local hub having a 

role as a centre of employment and services for its urban and 

rural communities. 

The Department’s current regional policy for retailing and 

town centres is contained in PPS 5 - Retailing and Town Centres. 

Regional policy for office development is contained in the 

Rural Strategy. In January 2004 the Department published a 

public consultation draft revision of PPS 4 - Industry, Business 

and Distribution. The Department for Regional Development is 

currently working towards a public consultation draft for the 

revision of PPS 5. 

Relevant supplementary planning guidance is contained in the 

following series of Development Control Advice Notes (DCAN s): 

DCAN 1 

DCAN 3 

DCAN 4 

DCAN 5 

DCAN 7 

Amusement Centres; 

Bookmaking Offices; 

Restaurants, Cafes and Fast Food Outlets; 

Taxi Offices; and 

Public Houses. 

Town centre health checks were carried out as part of the Plan 

preparation process and in accordance with PPS 5. Details are 

provided in the Commerce Technical Supplement. 

62

Town centres are designated for Magherafelt and Maghera in 

Part 4 of the Plan and are identified on relevant town centre 

maps. 

The purpose in designating town centres is to provide control 

over change in their structure to ensure the maintenance and 

enhancement of their vitality and viability. 

Primary retail cores are designated in Magherafelt and Maghera 

and are identified on the relevant town centre maps. The 

purpose in identifying a primary retail core within a town 

centre is to provide control over development inside that area, 

to ensure the continuance of a compact, lively and attractive 

shopping environment, offering both choice and convenience. 

Some office uses, such as banking and professional services, are 

convenient in the shopping environment but their proliferation 

at street level within retail frontages can displace significant 

amounts of retail floorspace, reducing shopper activity and the 

commercial viability of the main shopping area. 

Development proposals within town centres and primary retail 

cores will be assessed in the context of prevailing regional 

planning policy and other relevant designations, policies, 

proposals and zonings contained in the settlement section in 


63


TRANSPORTATION 


The Transportation Strategy of the Plan and specific policies 

and proposals are prepared within the context of the RDS 

and the Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS). Both of these 

strategies share the vision of a “modern, sustainable, safe 

transportation system which benefits society, the economy 

and the environment and which actively contributes to social 

inclusion and everyone’s quality of life” as a key factor for their 

successful implementation. 

These Regional Strategies also reflect the transportation 

principles set out in the current Northern Ireland Transport 

Policy Statement “Moving Forward” published in November 

1998, which provides strategic guidelines for the long-term 

development of the transport network and promotes a more 

integrated approach to transportation and land use planning at 

a regional level. 

Further detail on the scope and purposes of these overarching 

transportation strategies are contained in the Transportation 


The Department’s current regional planning policies on the 

roads aspects of transportation policy are set out in PPS 3 - 

Development Control: Roads Considerations. PPS 3 sets out 

those matters which will be taken into account in determining 

planning applications involving development which affects 

the public road network and road safety. Publication of the 

revised PPS for consultation was issued in 2003 and is due for 

publication in 2004. 

PPS 3 contains the current regional planning policy in relation 

to the designated Protected Routes Network, which is to restrict 

accesses onto selected roads. Protected routes within the Plan 

area are detailed below and shown on Map No.1 - Countryside 

and the relevant settlement maps. 

64

• A6 Belfast - Toomebridge - Londonderry. 

• A29 Newry – Armagh – Dungannon – Cookstown – 

Moneymore – Maghera – Coleraine. 

• A31 Moneymore - Magherafelt - Cookstown. 

• A42 Maghera - Ballymena 

The Department for Regional Development is currently 

preparing PPS 13 - “Transportation and Land Use”, which flows 

directly from the Strategic Policy Guidelines within the RDS 

and forms part of the implementation process of the Strategy. 

The PPS will recognise the significance of the RTS in delivering 

the transportation vision of the Strategy. Its primary objective 

is to promote an integrated approach to the planning of 

transportation and development at all levels in the formulation 

of policy. 

Supplementary Planning Guidance is contained in Development 

Control Advice Note 15 (2 nd edition): Vehicular Access Standards, 

August 1999. 

LOCAL TRANSPORT STUDY 

As part of the Sub Regional Transport Plan the Department 

for Regional Development will carry out a Local Transport 

Study which, amongst other things will assess car parking, local 

transportation safety schemes, public transport and cycling. The 

findings of the Study will be taken into account at the time of 

the Plan review in 2008. 

TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY 

Key elements of the Plan’s Transportation Strategy are set out 

below. Implementation of the Transportation Strategy will assist 

in the realisation of broader transportation objectives contained 

in the RDS and RTS. 

65


• Integration of transportation and land use. 

The Plan addresses strategic guidance on this issue through 

the spatial allocation of housing growth over the District 

and within individual settlements. It does so for example, 

by focusing a high proportion of growth into towns 

and particularly Magherafelt which is the main centre of 

employment. The Plan also seeks to maintain compact 

urban areas, for example through the priority given to the 

identification and zoning of sites for housing within the 

urban footprint. These measures seek to promote greater 

integration between transportation and land use and to 

reduce reliance on the private car and provide scope for the 

greater use of public transport. 

• Development of the transport infrastructure. 

The Plan seeks to safeguard routes which are important to 

the continual development of the transport infrastructure. 

• Reduction of traffic congestion. 

The Plan seeks to relieve traffic congestion within 

Magherafelt town centre by protecting a route for the 

proposed Eastern Bypass road. 

• Promotion of public transport use. 

In accordance with the vision and guidance within the 

RDS and the RTS and in order to encourage modal shift 

from private car to public transport, small scale sites 

offering potential as Park and Ride or Park and Share sites 

are identified in Part 3 of the Plan along key commuter 

corridors. These sites will be subject to feasibility studies, 

taking account of factors such as location, site availability, 

service capacity and frequency to determine their suitability 

for development. 

• Promotion of walking and cycling. 

The RDS and RTS recognise the importance of walking and 

cycling as economical, environmentally friendly and healthy 

means of transport that can provide a realistic alternative to 

the car for short journeys. The Plan addresses this issue, for 

example through the zoning of sites for housing within the 

66

urban footprint and through key site requirements attached 

to individual housing zonings which provide for dedicated 

provision for cyclists and pedestrians to the public road and 

footpath network. A Transport Study will be undertaken by 

Roads Service to assess current and potential cycle use and 

routes and hence identify cycle infrastructure requirements 

in line with RTS priorities. 

• Car Parking. 

The transportation strategy does not make provision for 

additional public car parking areas. Assessment of the need 

for any additional car park facilities within settlements will 

be addressed by Roads Service through the Transport Study. 

Further details in relation to the key elements of the 

Transportation Strategy are contained in the Transportation 


Policy TRAN 1 

Planning Protection for 


Planning permission will not be granted for 

development that would prejudice the availability of 

land required for transportation scheme proposals. 

Transportation schemes are identified in Parts 3 and 4 of the 

Plan. Transportation schemes, which are considered necessary 

for the proper development of the area, will be undertaken as 

resources permit. 

67

Open Space, Sport & Outdoor Recreation 

OPEN SPACE, SPORT AND OUTDOOR RECREATION 

Provision of open space, sport and outdoor recreation 

facilities throughout the District is the statutory responsibility 

of Magherafelt District Council. Other public agencies such 

as the Departments of Environment, Agriculture and Rural 

Development and Education, the Sports Council for Northern 

Ireland and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive also provide 

and manage a variety of publicly accessible outdoor recreation 

facilities and open space. 

Sports and outdoor recreational facilities are also provided by 

various private organisations, including bowling, tennis, hockey, 

gaelic football, golf, rugby and soccer clubs. School playing 

fields have the potential for dual use by the public outside 

school hours. 

The natural resources of the District, such as the River Bann, 

Lough Neagh and the Sperrin Mountains, also provide a wealth 

of opportunities for active outdoor pursuits such as sailing, 

watersports, angling, and walking. 

The District contains a variety of informal outdoor recreational 

open space, particularly forests. Moydamlaght and Portglenone 

Forests are examples. Informal recreation facilities also exist in 

association with the natural resources of the area such as rivers, 

lough shores and heritage sites. A section of the Loughshore 

Trail (part of SUSTRANS National Cycle Network) lies within 

Magherafelt district and provides a leisure cycle route in the 

District. 


The RDS aims to promote the important link between 

environment, health and well-being and places an emphasis on 

supporting healthy lifestyles and the promotion of health in the 

community. 

The Department’s regional planning policies for recreation 

and open space are currently set out in the Rural Strategy. A 

68

consultation draft PPS 8: Open Space, Sport and Recreation, was 

published in March 1999. This will replace the relevant policies 

contained in the Rural Strategy, when published in its final form. 

Planning Policy Statement 7 (PPS 7): Quality Residential 

Environments, requires adequate provision for public and for 

private open space in new residential developments. 

EXISTING OPEN SPACE 

Major areas of existing open space are shown for information 

only on the relevant settlement maps in Part 4 of the Plan. 

Within these areas planning applications will be determined in 

accordance with the provisions of prevailing regional planning 

policy. Any other areas of existing open space not identified are 

however also covered by the same safeguarding provisions of 

prevailing regional planning policy. 

An assessment of open space and outdoor recreation provision 

in the District was undertaken as part of the plan preparation 

process and details are provided in the Open Space, Sport and 

Outdoor Recreation Technical Supplement to the Plan. 

Some open spaces are identified as Local Landscape Policy Areas 

(LLPAs) within which development proposals will also be subject 

to Policy CON 2 of the Plan. 

69

Tourism 

TOURISM 

The potential for growth in tourism within the District rests 

on the beauty of the landscapes and variety of interests and 

heritage features to be enjoyed. Lough Neagh, Lough Beg, 

the River Bann, Moyola River and the Sperrin Mountains 

are recognised for the quality of their natural landscapes. 

The District’s built heritage is wide-ranging and varied, and 

includes historic buildings such as Bellaghy Bawn, and historic 

monuments such as St. Lurach’s old church in Maghera. 

The historic Magherafelt town is located in the heart of mid 

Ulster and is well placed in relation to the Regional Strategic 

Transport Network. It is located close to the Sperrins Area of 

Outstanding Natural Beauty and has the potential to develop 

further as a base for touring within the District. 

Promotion and marketing of tourism in the District is primarily 

the responsibility of Magherafelt District Council. It operates a 

range of local tourist facilities including picnic and amenity sites. 

The Department of Environment and Department of Agriculture 

and Rural Development provide additional facilities such as 

specifically assigned tourist walks as well as access to sites in 

their care. 

There are a number of other bodies who are concerned with 

tourism in the area. Sperrins Tourism Limited has a responsibility 

for the development and marketing of tourism in the Sperrins 

area. The Lower Bann Advisory Committee co-ordinates 

management and policy making amongst the statutory agencies 

responsible for various aspects of the Lower Bann. The Lough 

Neagh Advisory Committee aims to manage, enhance and 

market recreational opportunities for local people and visitors. 

The private sector provides tourist accommodation in hotels, 

guesthouses, bed & breakfast and self-catering chalets, and 

other tourism services. The potential exists to develop further 

the range and quality of facilities. 

70


The RDS promotes sustainable tourism and the establishment of 

a positive and attractive world-wide image for Northern Ireland. 

Departmental planning policy for tourism development and 

accommodation, caravan and camping sites, signage and the 

protection of tourism assets is set out in the Rural Strategy. 

Realising the tourism potential of the District will continue to 

require investment in marketing, product development and 

physical facilities in terms of visitor infrastructure, and especially 

visitor accommodation. Since a vibrant tourism sector depends 

on a quality host environment, its growth must be based on the 

provision of quality tourism facilities and accommodation that 

contributes to the sustainability of the industry. 

The ‘Natural Resource Rural Tourism’ administered by the 

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in 

partnership with the Department of Environment Environment 

and Heritage Service and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board 

(NITB) is an initiative which may facilitate small scale tourist 

development. 

The NITB in its publication “Tourism in Northern Ireland – A 

Sustainable Approach” sets out the principles of sustainable 

tourism and the basis for its assessment of proposals for tourism 

development. 

Tourism Development Opportunity Areas 

SPG – ECON 9 of the RDS refers to “Tourism Development 

Opportunities” related to “Strategic Natural Resources” and 

based on “Distinctive Tourism Themes”. It identifies two within 

the District, the Sperrin Mountains and Lough Neagh. 

It is intended that the private sector should develop 

“Destination Resort Complexes” based on “Distinctive Tourism 

Themes”. The objective is to encourage the development of a 

cluster of activities led largely by private sector initiatives. 

71

Tourism 

The RDS does not clearly define the extent of the “Tourism 

Development Opportunities” or establish appropriate locations 

for the “Destination Resort Complexes”, nor does it place an 

obligation on development plans to do so. It states that a 

proposed multi-purpose complex should be sensitively located 

both in relation to a “Strategic Natural Resource” and a “local 

tourism gateway town”, as well as to public transport services. 

Development proposals based on the theme of “Tourism 

Development Opportunity” areas and “Destination Resorts” will 

be subject to the requirements of prevailing planning policy. In 

addition to the normal planning considerations the suitability 

of planning applications based on this theme will include 

an analysis of the nature of the proposal, its content and its 

location. 

Sperrin Mountains 

Tourism in the Sperrins is still an emerging industry. It is a major 

Tourism Development Opportunity related to walking activities, 

angling, and the appreciation of the area’s culture, landscape, 

natural and built heritage and overall physical splendor. 

Lough Neagh 

This is a Tourism Development Opportunity related to wildlife 

and activity tourism. Lough Neagh already provides excellent 

opportunities for sustainable tourism and outdoor recreation. At 

present it is used for a number of different activities including 

angling, canoeing, walking and cruising. 

72

Education And Community Uses 

EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY USES 

Responsibility for the provision of educational facilities in the 

District rests with the North Eastern and Education Library Board 

(NEELB), the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) 

and the Northern Ireland Council for integrated Education 

(NICIE) supplemented by a number of voluntary authorities. 

The Department of Education, the Department for Employment 

and Learning, and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure 

retains overall authority for education policy and finance. 

The NEELB is also responsible for library provision within the 

District. 

It is currently the overall responsibility of the Northern Health 

and Social Services Board, (NHSS) to assess the health and social 

care needs of the District and to secure the care to meet those 

needs in keeping with available resources. 

Provision of community health and social care services to meet 

those needs is the responsibility of the Ulster Community and 

Hospitals Trust and the Homefirst Community Trust. 

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety 

retains overall responsibility for policy and funding of major 

capital works. 

Consultation with the relevant authorities has not identified a 

need for the Plan to safeguard land for future education and 

community use development. Further details on education 

and community uses are contained in the Education Technical 

Supplement. 


The RDS seeks to facilitate the development of education, 

health and commercial services, cultural and leisure amenities 

necessary to meet the needs of a growing population. 

The RDS identifies Magherafelt as a local service centre. 

Decisions on the future location of new public sector 

73

Education And Community Uses 

development for a variety of functions, including health and 

education, will take into account the role of the town. 

The Department’s regional planning policies for community 

needs are currently set out in the Rural Strategy. 

Supplementary Planning Guidance is contained in Development 

Control Advice Note 9 ‘Residential and Nursing Homes’ and 

Development Control Advice Note 13 ‘Crèches, Day Nurseries 

and Pre-school Playgroups’. 

Educational Facilities 

The Independent Review Body on Post Primary Education 

reported to the Minister for Education in 2001, and there is 

the possibility that the long-term outcome of this review may 

influence the number and type of post primary schools across 

Northern Ireland. 

The enrolment levels in controlled and maintained primary 

schools at 2001 indicate both sectors have significant spare 

capacity. Spires Integrated Primary School, in Magherafelt 

town, which opened in 1999 has already exceeded its capacity. 

A significant amount of spare capacity in the primary sector is 

found in the villages and rural area. Consideration is being given 

to a replacement for St. Columba’s Primary School in Straw. 

At secondary level there is spare capacity in the controlled 

sector whilst the voluntary sector is slightly over subscribed. 

The NICIE is actively seeking a site in Magherafelt for a new 

integrated school. 

There is one college of Further and Higher education in 

Magherafelt District, in Magherafelt - The North East Institute of 

Further & Higher Education. 

Libraries and Youth Services 

There are 4 branch libraries in the District and 3 mobile libraries 

Youth clubs operate throughout the District from various 

premises owned by Magherafelt District Council, churches and 

schools. There is a controlled youth centre in Maghera and it 

is proposed to establish a new youth centre in Magherafelt 

74

Town on the site of Magherafelt Primary School. Various other 

organisations operate widely throughout the District such as 

Boys Brigade, Girls Brigade, Girl Guides, Scouts etc. 

Health and Social Services 

The Homefirst Community Trust Estates Strategy for 2002-2012 

proposes a number of investment schemes at the Hospital Road 

Site in Magherafelt. 

Policy COY 1 

Community Uses 

Planning permission will be granted for community 

uses within settlement development limits provided 

all the following criteria are met: 

• there is no significant detrimental effect on 

amenity; 

• the proposal does not prejudice the 

comprehensive development of surrounding 

lands, particularly on zoned sites; 

• the proposals are in keeping with the size and 

character of the settlement and its surroundings; 

• where necessary, additional infrastructure is 

provided by the developer; and, 

• there are satisfactory access, parking and sewage 

disposal arrangements. 

Applications for planning permission for community related 

facilities will be considered in the context of prevailing regional 

planning policy and the Plan Proposals. Unforeseen demands for 

new community facilities may arise over the lifetime of the Plan. 

Accordingly, a flexible approach is required in considering such 

development within settlement development limits in order to 

make the most effective use of existing facilities, infrastructure, 

utilities and resources. For the purposes of interpreting this 

policy, Community Use refers to those uses specified in Use 

Classes 13 and 15 of the Planning (Use Classes) Order (Northern 

Ireland) 1989 as amended. 

75


PUBLIC UTILITIES 

The provision of public services and utilities within the District 

is primarily the responsibility of a number of Government 

Departments and Agencies, Magherafelt District Council and 

statutory bodies. However, the role of the private sector is 

becoming more important. The main services are water and 

sewerage, drainage, waste disposal, cemeteries, electricity and 

telecommunications. 

Planning Service consulted with all statutory agencies and 

bodies with responsibility for the provision of public services and 

utilities within the District during the preparation of the Plan, 

and the information provided by those agencies is as contained 

within the Plan and Public Utilities Technical Supplement. 


The RDS provides the strategic environmental context for the 

delivery of public services and utilities. 

The Rural Strategy contains current policies on new 

infrastructure, major projects, the disposal or treatment of 

waste materials and developments at risk from flooding or land 

instability. It also includes policies on overhead electricity cables, 

renewable energy and septic tanks. 

Prevailing regional policy in relation to telecommunications is 

provided by PPS 10 - Telecommunications, and in relation to 

Waste Management is provided by PPS 11 - Planning and Waste 

Management. A PPS on flooding is in the process of preparation 

by DOE. 

Water and Sewage 

The abstraction, treatment and supply of drinking water and 

conveyance and treatment of sewage are the responsibility of 

the Department for Regional Development’s Water Service. 

Future improvements to this infrastructure are also the 

responsibility of Water Service. 

76

The main water source for the Magherafelt District is Lough 

Neagh. Water is abstracted from the Lough and treated in the 

Moyola Water Treatment Works. Treated water is pumped to a 

command service reservoir at Mullaghboy Hill. Water is supplied 

from Mullaghboy service reservoir to Magherafelt Town and 

is also transported to local service reservoirs at Moneymore, 

Windmill Hill, Gulladuff and Draperstown. 

The western side of the District is supplied from Lough Fea 

Water Treatment Works through a series of service reservoirs, 

which supply Draperstown, Moydamlaght, Maghera (high area) 

and Swatragh. 

Throughout the District, Water Service has schemes 

programmed to upgrade the water and sewerage system, where 

required, and to comply with EU directives, to ensure water 

quality and meet increasing demand. 

There are currently three appraisal studies ongoing within the 

District: 

Watermain Zonal Studies – Including an examination of all 

watermains to assess their structural condition and ability 

to hydraulically meet the demand of existing and future 

development. A Capital Works Programme includes a watermain 

rehabilitation programme, which will be constructed on a 

prioritised basis across all areas over the next five years. A new 

trunk watermain has been recently constructed from the Moyola 

system along the Glenshane Road to Maghera High Level area. 

Drainage Area Studies – Studies are presently underway 

at Magherafelt, Castledawson, Bellaghy, Draperstown and 

Maghera. The recommendations of the studies will address 

the structural condition of the sewerage system and provide 

a drainage system which will meet the needs of existing and 

future development. 

Wastewater Treatment Work Studies – The requirements of the 

EU Urban Waste Water Treatment directive is the driver for a 

programme of improvements to Waste water Treatment Works. 

New (or ongoing works) include Upperlands, Glenone, Inishrush 

and Clady. 

77


Drainage 

Appraisal studies are ongoing within the following 

settlements: Ballynease, Magherafelt Town, Maghera, Bellaghy, 

Castledawson, Draperstown, Swatragh, Desertmartin, Gulladuff 

and Tobermore. 

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, 

Rivers Agency, is the statutory drainage and flood protection 

authority and will be consulted in relation to applications for 

development which may affect watercourses and floodplains. 

In accordance with government policy, the Department of 

Agriculture and Rural Development is committed to the 

introduction of procedures for the recovery of developer 

contributions towards the costs of drainage infrastructure 

improvement work. Currently, drainage improvements necessary 

to permit development are subject to strict cost/ benefit criteria 

and scheme prioritisation and whilst drainage works to facilitate 

development may be identified as viable, their implementation 

will be dependant on the availability of resources. This situation 

pertains to a considerable number of sites proposed for housing 

in the Plan. 

For those sites where necessary infrastructure improvements 

are not viable, Rivers Agency will not consent to any additional 

run-off beyond existing rates. In both of these circumstances, 

developers are recommended to consult with Rivers Agency and 

the Water Service of the Department for Regional Development 

at an early stage prior to submission of a planning application, 

in order to ensure an acceptable means of storm water 

drainage. 

Many existing urban drainage systems are damaging the 

environment and are therefore not sustainable in the long 

term. The government wishes to promote a move to Sustainable 

Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). These provide a number of 

options for draining an area and fall into three broad groups 

that aim to: 

78

Waste Disposal 

• reduce the quantity of runoff from the site (source control 

techniques); 

• slow the velocity of runoff to allow settlement filtering and 

infiltration (permanent conveyance systems); and 

• provide passive treatment to collected surface water before 

discharging into land or to a watercourse (end of pipe 

systems). 

There are a number of recorded flooded areas that significantly 

affect particular settlements within the District. Major areas of 

flooding are: 

• to the south of Maghera, 

• to the north and east of Tobermore 

• to the south of Castledawson 

• at Upperlands 

• at Clady 

• at Inishrush 

• to the east of Tamlaght 

• at Culnady 

• at Curran. 

This list is not exhaustive nor is it intended to include the 

floodplain of every watercourse in the District. Prospective 

developers are advised to contact the Department of Agriculture 

and Rural Development Rivers Agency at an early stage to clarify 

flooding or floodplain issues that may affect particular sites. 

It is not the purpose of the Plan to prescribe either the 

preferred methods of dealing with waste materials or specific 

sites for new facilities. These matters are determined by the 

producers or holders of waste in the context of land use policies 

and the Waste Management Strategy for Northern Ireland. 

The management of waste is an essential community service. 

Presently Magherafelt District Council operates a landfill site 

at Ballymacombs approximately 7 kilometres north east of 

Magherafelt town. 

79


Cemeteries 

Electricity 

As part of the North West Region Waste Management Group 

(NWRWMG) Magherafelt District Council is currently working 

with 6 other Councils to develop a sustainable solution for waste 

management in the District. 

Recycling and composting in the NWRWMG is facilitated 

through the provision of bottle banks and civic amenity 

sites within the District. Civic amenity sites are located at 

Magherafelt, Maghera, Castledawson, Tobermore, Bellaghy, 

Upperlands, and Draperstown. 

Magherafelt District Council has responsibility for a number 

of cemeteries within the District. Some churches also manage 

associated cemeteries and burial grounds. 

Northern Ireland Electricity will continue to develop existing 

33kV and 11kV distribution networks as customer requirements 

and demand change in the future. The existing 33kV networks 

within the District are presently being reinforced. 

Telecommunications 

Telecommunications provision within the District is primarily 

the responsibility of British Telecom, supplemented by a number 

of other private companies. There are four providers operating 

second generation mobile telecommunication networks within 

the District, namely, Vodafone, Orange, O2 (formerly BT Cellnet) 

and T-Mobile (formerly One to One). 

80

Minerals 

MINERALS 

Mineral resources within Magherafelt District range from 

peat, diatomite, limestone, basalt, igneous rock and sand 

and gravel. Currently peat is extracted and processed at two 

sites both located just west of the River Bann. The diatomite 

resource west of Toomebridge is currently inactive. Building and 

roadstone aggregates are produced from a number of the hard 

rock quarries lying between Knockcloghrim and Moneymore. 

As well as producing primary crushed rock for use as hardcore 

many quarries further crush the material to produce finer 

aggregate which can be used in a range of secondary processes. 

Such processes include ready-use concrete, bitumen macadam 

production and the manufacture of concrete products. These 

processes increase the value of the aggregates and enable the 

quarries to compete over greater distances. 

Extraction of sand and gravel within Magherafelt occurs at a 

number of locations. One of the main sources of sand and gravel 

is Lough Neagh. Lough sand is brought ashore by barge before 

being processed at one of four land based sites located between 

Creagh Road / Airfield Road and the northern shoreline of the 

Lough. Existing land based extraction sites are located in the 

Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the north and 

east of Lough Fea. Outside the Area of Outstanding Natural 

Beauty there are other smaller sand and gravel operations 

stretching from near Moneymore in the south to Tobermore in 

the north. 

A survey of existing sand and gravel operations in Magherafelt 

District carried out in 2001 indicated production figures for 

the year 2000 of approximately 960,000 tonnes. This figure can 

be split between land based operations and Lough extracted 

operations of 754,000 and 206,000 tonnes respectively. 

Identified land based reserves at approved sites in the year 2000 

were estimated to be in the region of 3.6 million tonnes. This 

represents approximately a five year supply of land based sand 

and gravel assuming the same rate of extraction. Assuming 

a constant rate of extraction from Lough Neagh for the 

81

Minerals 

same period then an additional 1.03 million tonnes would be 

landed for processing. Reserves in Lough Neagh have not been 

estimated. 

In formulating its mineral policies for Magherafelt District the 

Department has sought to balance the need for extraction 

in the District against the need to protect and conserve the 

environment. As a result the extraction of sand and gravel 

minerals in environmentally sensitive areas will be controlled in 

the public interest. 


The RDS includes the following guidelines: 

• to maintain a working countryside with a strong mixed use 

rural economy; and 

• to make use of minerals for economic development in a 

sustainable manner and in a way which assesses the need to 

exploit the mineral resource against the need to protect and 

conserve environmental resources. 

The Departments regional planning policies for mineral 

development are currently set out in the Rural Strategy. 

This contains a range of policies for the control of mineral 

developments including peat extraction, taking into account 

environmental protection, visual amenity, public safety and 

traffic considerations. It also includes policies for mineral 

reserves, valuable minerals, areas of constraint on mineral 

developments and restoration of mineral workings. The Area of 

Constraint on Mineral Developments is designated as identified 

on Map No. 1 – Countryside and in the Appendices. 

The policies contained in PPS2 - Planning and Nature 

Conservation - provide protection for the full range of sites of 

nature conservation importance, including peatlands. 

PPS 6 - Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage - sets 

out the policies for the protection and conservation of 

82

archaeological remains and features of the built heritage 

and embodies the Government’s commitment to sustainable 

development and environmental stewardship. 

Policy MN 1 

Hydrocarbon exploration 

In the event that hydrocarbon exploration identifies 

the possibility of commercially viable reserves of oil or 

gas their exploitation will be considered in the context 

of the short and long term suitability of the site. 

Applications which would have a significant adverse 

impact on the environment will not be permitted. 

Limited hydrocarbon exploration has occurred north of Lough 

Neagh, near Toome, in the early 1990’s. Future exploration 

under license may identify deposits of oil or gas which are 

particularly valuable to the Northern Ireland economy. 

Hydrocarbon extraction is a site specific operation with any 

potential environmental effects being dependant on the 

methods used at that site. Applications will be treated on 

their individual merits having regard to the impact of the 

specific development on nearby residents, and sites or features 

designated for their scientific, landscape or heritage interests. 

83


AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHING 

Agriculture 

Agriculture is the predominant land use within the District and 

employed 3135 people on 1685 holdings in 2001. Approximately 

70% of farms in the District are involved in cattle and sheep 

farming. Dairy farming is also important with 285 holdings. 

The District currently has one of the lowest number of farms 

producing cereals, general crops or involved in horticulture 

in Northern Ireland occupying only 4% of the total holdings, 

whereas it has the highest number of mixed farms. 

Although there are no major agri-businesses within the District, 

there are a number of small businesses employing up to 10 

people. These range from light agricultural engineering to food 

processing. 

Farm size within the District tends to be small with 55% of 

farms classed as very small by the Department of Agriculture 

and Rural Development (DARD (NI)) under European standards 

and only 1% described as large. 

In common with the rest of Northern Ireland, farm incomes 

in the District are falling in real terms, leading to an increased 

demand for alternative employment on and off the farm. The 

Department accepts the need for farmers to diversify into nonagricultural 

activities in the context of prevailing planning policy 

to supplement their farming income and DARD (NI) has a range 

of grant assistance to support this process. 

Less Favoured Areas (LFAs) are areas where the natural 

characteristics, including geology, altitude and climate, make 

it difficult for farmers to compete. However, within these 

areas, agriculture is the main factor shaping and maintaining 

valuable landscapes and habitats. Support is paid to farmers in 

LFAs so that society can continue to enjoy these benefits. LFAs 

are divided into Disadvantaged and Severely Disadvantaged 

Areas. 64% of farms in the District fall within LFAs and 27% are 

categorized as Severely Disadvantaged Areas. 

84

Forestry 

Fishing 

Forestry operations within the District are carried out by the 

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Forest 

Service. Approximately 975 hectares are publicly managed 

woodland. 

Forest Service also assists in the planting and management of 

privately owned woodlands through the payment of grants. 

A review of forest policy in Northern Ireland and the 

preparation of an updated long-term strategic vision for forestry 

based on the principles of sustainability is presently underway. 

A Community Woodland has been established at Drumlamph 

by the Woodland Trust in partnership with local communities as 

part of the “Woods on Your Doorstep” project which began in 

1996 with a grant from the Millennium Commission. 

Community woodlands are intended to mark the millennium 

and will provide a source of informal recreation, beauty, 

tranquillity, and quiet enjoyment for local people. The sites 

will also increase people’s awareness of woodland, contribute 

to woodland biodiversity and increase the area of new native 

woodland. The Woodland Trust provides and maintains paths, 

gates and similar facilities for public access. 

Lough Neagh supports a substantial fishery, mainly for eels. 

The majority of the fishing rights to most rivers in the District 

are owned by The Honourable the Irish Society, based at Cutts 

House, Coleraine. These rights are sub leased to a number of 

angling clubs in the area and most recreational game angling 

takes place on waters controlled by these clubs, in particular 

the Moyola and Clady Rivers, and specific stretches of the Lower 

Bann. These rivers all sustain good runs of salmon and trout and 

are attractive to visiting anglers. 

85


Lough Beg and the River Bann contain good coarse fish stocks, 

mainly pike, roach and bream which attract significant angling 

tourists to the area. 

Aquaculture within the District is limited to a small number of 

rainbow trout farms, which supply fish either directly to the 

wholesale market or for restocking angling waters. The Moyola 

angling club operates a salmon hatchery near Draperstown to 

enhance juvenile stocks in the river. 


The RDS seeks to maintain a working countryside with a strong 

mixed-use rural economy. It also seeks to create and sustain an 

attractive and unique rural environment in the interests of the 

rural community and the Region as a whole. 

The Rural Strategy contains current regional planning policies 

for the protection of the best and most versatile agricultural 

land, agricultural and forestry development, agricultural 

diversification and community woodlands. 

86

Part 3 

Countryside 

87

Countryside 

COUNTRYSIDE 

The character of the countryside throughout the District, 

its landscapes, biodiversity and heritage are detailed in the 

Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement and aspects of 

the rural economy are outlined under Agriculture, Forestry and 

Fishing in Part 2 of the Plan. 

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AND DEVELOPMENT PRESSURE 

The Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement includes an 

analysis of development pressure throughout the countryside. 

That analysis together with the RDS, the Rural Strategy and the 

N. I. Character Assessment 2000 has informed proposals for the 

designation of Green Belts and Countryside Policy Areas in order 

to meet the strategic objectives of these policies. 


The overall aim of the Spatial Development Strategy in the RDS 

in relation to Rural Northern Ireland is to develop an attractive 

and prosperous rural area, based on a balanced and integrated 

approach to the development of town, village and countryside, 

in order to sustain a strong and vibrant rural community, 

contributing to the overall well being of the region as a whole. 

Measures outlined in the RDS to create and sustain an attractive 

rural environment include, designating Countryside Policy Areas 

to protect valued landscapes, and by controlling development in 

areas under pressure for development by means of Green Belt 

designation. The objectives of Green Belt and Countryside Policy 

Area designation and the prevailing policies for the control of 

development within those designations are currently contained 

in the Rural Strategy. 

Green Belts 

In the context of the RDS, the Rural Strategy, the Northern 

Ireland Landscape Character Assessment 2000 and analysis of 

existing and potential development pressure, the Department 

89

Countryside 

considers Green Belt designation around Magherafelt to 

be justified. This justification arises from the need for the 

Department to exercise control over new development in 

order to meet the objectives of regional planning policy and 

specifically the strategic objectives of Green Belts, as set out in 

Policy GB/CPA 1 of the Rural Strategy. Details of the pressure 

analysis findings and the detailed justification of the outer edge 

of the Green Belt are contained in the Countryside Assessment 


Designation COU 1 Magherafelt Green Belt 

A Green Belt is designated around Magherafelt town, 

as identified on Map No. 1 - Countryside. 

The Department considers that the existing Green Belt 

around Magherafelt has provided an effective control over 

development within this rural area. It is considered appropriate 

and necessary to maintain strict planning control in this 

area where development pressure is likely to be greatest. 

Accordingly, apart from the exception detailed below, the Green 

Belt has been designated to generally accord with the previous 

boundaries. Some adjustments, mostly of a minor nature, have 

been made to align the boundary with defined physical features 

on the ground. 

The area where the previous Green Belt designation is 

significantly extended is to the east and north east of the 

previous Magherafelt Green Belt. This area is shown by the 

development pressure analysis to experience ongoing pressure 

for development. It is anticipated that this pressure is likely to 

increase over the Plan period given improved accessibility to the 

east of Northern Ireland which will be facilitated by the Toome 

by-pass. The potential for increased employment created by INI 

investment at Creagh, coupled with the provision in the Plan for 

significant additional zoning for industry at Magherafelt and 

Creagh, is also likely to exert increased development pressure 

in this area. Accordingly, it is considered appropriate to extend 

the Green Belt in this area in order to fulfil the objectives of 

regional planning policy pertaining to Green Belts. 

90

The boundaries of the outer edge of this Green Belt are drawn 

to coincide with physical features on the ground. 

Development proposals within the designated Green Belt will 

be determined in accordance with prevailing regional planning 

policy. 

Designation COU 2 Maghera Green Belt 

A Green Belt is designated around Maghera as 

identified on Map No. 1 - Countryside. 

The Department considers that the existing Green Belt around 

Maghera has provided an effective control over development 

within this rural area. It is considered appropriate and 

necessary to maintain strict planning control in this area where 

development pressure is likely to be greatest. Accordingly, apart 

from the exception detailed below, the Green Belt has been 

designated to generally accord with the previous boundaries. 

Some adjustments, mostly of a minor nature, have been made 

to align the boundary with defined physical features on the 

ground. 

The area where the previous Green Belt designation is 

significantly extended is to the south and south-east of the 

previous Maghera Green Belt. This is considered appropriate 

in order to afford protection to the setting of the town, 

to safeguard the surrounding countryside and to prevent 

coalescence with the village of Tobermore to the south. 

The boundaries of the outer edge of this Green Belt are drawn 

to coincide with physical features on the ground. 

Development proposals within the designated Green Belt will 

be determined in accordance with prevailing regional planning 

policy. 

91

Countryside 

Countryside Policy Areas (CPAs) 

In the context of the RDS, the Rural Strategy, the Northern 

Ireland Landscape Character Assessment 2000 and analysis of 

existing and potential development pressure, the Department 

considers the two Countryside Policy Area designations to 

be justified. This justification arises from the need for the 

Department to exercise control over new development in 

order to meet the objectives of regional planning policy and 

specifically the strategic objectives of Countryside Policy Areas, 

as set out in Policy GB/CPA 1 of the Rural Strategy. Details of 

the pressure analysis findings and the detailed justification of 

the CPA are contained in the Countryside Assessment Technical 

Supplement. 

Designation COU 3 Sperrin Countryside 

Policy Area 

A Countryside Policy Area is designated in the west 

and south of the District, as identified on Map No. 1 

- Countryside. 

The Sperrin CPA includes that portion of the Sperrins AONB 

which falls within the District. Generally, this includes the entire 

western fringe of the District, together with the southern 

fringe as far east as Slieve Gallion. The CPA also includes the 

lower slopes of Slieve Gallion, which are outside the AONB 

but included within the Area of High Scenic Value (designated 

on the basis of the Northern Ireland Landscape Character 

Assessment 2000), and an area to the west of the Maghera 

Green Belt which lies outside of the AONB. 

This is an extensive upland area which is 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 development pressure analysis has 

revealed significant development pressure to the west of the 

Maghera Green Belt, particularly at Fallagloon on the A6 and 

along Ranaghan Road to the north of the A6 

92

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 

its sense of wilderness. 

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 afford 

protection from those parts of the area under pressure from 

development. 

Boundaries of the CPA have been drawn to coincide with 

physical features on the ground. 

Development proposals within this CPA will be determined in 

accordance with prevailing regional planning policy. 

Designation COU 4 Eastern CPA 

A Countryside Policy Area is designated in the east of 

the District, as identified on Map No.1 - Countryside. 

This CPA extends along the entire eastern fringe of the District. 

It includes all of the West Lough Neagh Shores Area of High 

Scenic Value (designated on the basis of the Northern Ireland 

Landscape Character Assessment 2000), riverside lands to the 

north of Glenone along the Lower Bann river corridor, lands 

between the outer eastern edge of the Magherafelt Green Belt 

and the western edge of the West Lough Neagh Shores Area of 

High Scenic Value. 

The eastern part of this CPA is a lowland area which is 

important not only for its scenic quality but also for its wetland 

habitat, nature conservation and archaeological interests. The 

area is vulnerable to development pressure, which is particularly 

noticeable where the flat floodplain landscapes are overlooked 

by higher ground on the County Antrim side of the Lower Bann. 

93

Countryside 

Further to the west is a transitional area, where the rolling 

drumlin landscape to the east of Magherafelt gives way to a 

relatively flat, expansive landscape on the lower reaches of the 

River Moyola and the fringes of Lough Neagh. The development 

pressure analysis has revealed significant pressure throughout 

this area, but perhaps more significantly towards the east, 

where the flatter, more open terrain has less capacity to absorb 

development. Ribbon development has had a particularly 

damaging impact upon rural character and visual amenity. 

Some of the lands included within this CPA were designated 

under the previous Plan. It is considered appropriate and 

necessary to maintain strict planning control in these areas 

and to extend the CPA. The CPA is designated to protect the 

visual amenity of those parts of the area with acknowledged 

landscape quality, to maintain the rural character of the 

countryside and to afford protection to those parts of the area 

under pressure from development. 

Boundaries of the CPA have been drawn to coincide with 

physical features on the ground. 

Development proposals within this CPA will be determined in 

accordance with prevailing regional planning policy. 

Designation COU 5 West Lough Neagh Shores 


An Area of High Scenic Value is designated on the 

West Lough Neagh Shores as identified on Map No. 1 

- Countryside. 

The distinctive landscape of the West Lough Neagh Shores 

was identified in the Northern Ireland Landscape Character 

Assessment as an area of scenic quality and is designated in the 

Plan as an Area of High Scenic Value. The area extends, within 

the Magherafelt District, along the western shoreline of Lough 

Neagh from Traad Point, through the flat pastures, bog and wet 

94

woodland on the fringes of Lough Neagh and Lough Beg to the 

woodlands of Portglenone Forest. 

Policy for the control of development in Areas of High Scenic 

Value is contained in Policy CON 1 in Part 2 of the Plan. 

Designation COU 6 Slieve Gallion 


An Area of High Scenic Value is designated on the 

Slieve Gallion slopes as identified on Map No. 1 - 

Countryside. 

The Slieve Gallion slopes were identified in the Northern Ireland 

Landscape Character Assessment 2000 as an area of scenic 

quality and are designated in the Plan as an Area of High Scenic 

Value. The area is largely within Magherafelt District and forms 

a distinctive landscape of scenic farmland and deep wooded 

glens along the western fringes of Slieve Gallion. 

Policy for the control of development in Areas of High Scenic 

Value is contained in Policy CON 1 in Part 2 of the Plan. 

Designation COU 7 Sites of Local Nature 


Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance are 

designated in the locations identified on Map No. 1 

- Countryside and on Map Nos. 4-75 of Part 3 of the 


Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance are designated in 

accordance with PPS 2 – Planning and Nature Conservation. Sites 

have been identified on the basis of their flora, fauna or earth 

science interest. Detailed descriptions of their characteristics are 

provided in the Countryside Assessment Technical Supplement. 

Policy for the control of development within Sites of Local 

Nature Conservation Importance is contained in Policy CON 3 in 


95

Countryside 

Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance are also 

designated as Areas of Constraint on Mineral Developments 

under Designation COU 10 in this section of the Plan. 

Designation COU 8 Dispersed Rural Community 

A Dispersed Rural Community is designated at 

Carntogher as identified on Map No. 1 - Countryside 

and Map No. 76 – Carntogher Dispersed Rural 

Community. 

Proposals for residential development within the 

designated area will be regulated in accordance 

with the provisions of regional planning policy and 

the criteria established below relating to clusters of 

residential development. 

• The layout should be informal reflecting a clachan 

style and should not take the form of a suburban 

type layout typical of urban locations; 

• Individual buildings should be simple in form, 

avoiding ornate front projections and should be 

modest in scale; 

• Development should normally be located close to 

an existing focal point; 

• The number of dwellings in any one cluster should 

be subject to a maximum of six; 

• Existing mature vegetation should be retained; 

• Existing dwellings should be retained where 

possible and where necessary restored to a 

habitable standard; 

• Where appropriate development should be located 

within a vacant farmyard complex. 

The designation of the Dispersed Rural Community (DRC) is 

based on the criteria contained in Policies SP5 and HOU 7 of the 

Rural Strategy. 

The DRC is located to the north north-west of Maghera on 

the edge of the Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

96

A description of the DRC is contained in the Countryside 

Assessment Technical Supplement. 

Proposals for non-residential development will be assessed in 

accordance with the provisions of regional planning policy. 

Designation COU 9 Historic Parks, Gardens and 

Demesnes 

The following historic parks, gardens, and demesnes 

of special historic interest are designated as identified 

on Map No. 1 - Countryside and Map Nos. 77-79 of Part 

3 of the Plan: 

Ampertaine House (or Ampertaine), Ballyscullion 

House, Moyola Park. 

Division and enclosure of the landscape since the 17th century 

has strongly impacted on the appearance of the modern 

landscape of Magherafelt. These designed landscapes – parks, 

gardens and demesnes – have changed through time, under 

management, neglect or new uses so that their historical 

character may not always be obvious. 

The planned landscapes of demesnes with their distinctive 

features and integration into local vistas still make a valuable 

contribution to the quality and character of the local landscape. 

These areas will be detailed in a Register of Historic Parks, 

Gardens and Demesnes of Special Historic Interest in Northern 

Ireland, due to be published by the Departments Environment 

and Heritage Service. This Register will summarise the historical 

significance of each site and the contribution such planned 

features make to the local landscape. It will also seek to 

encourage the public, as well as owners, to value and support 

the protection and maintenance of such sites. 

97

Countryside 

Prevailing regional policy for the protection of historic parks, 

gardens and demesnes of special historic interest is set out 

in PPS 6 - Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage. The 

locations of the historic parks, gardens and demesnes of special 

historic interest are identified on Map No. 1 Countryside, 

Map Nos. 77-79 and relevant settlement maps. Additional 

information about each site is contained in the Countryside 

Assessment Technical Supplement. 

Designation COU 10 Areas of Constraint on 

Mineral Developments 

Areas of Constraint on Mineral Developments are 

designated as identified on Map No. 1 - Countryside. 

By their nature, scale, location and duration of operation, 

mineral developments frequently impact more severely on the 

environment than any other form of development. They can 

damage or destroy sites of nature conservation or earth science 

value and sites of historic and archaeological interest. They can 

also have a significant visual impact on the landscape and an 

adverse effect on the amenity of the people nearby. 

Areas of Constraint on Mineral Developments are identified in 

order to safeguard the most valuable and vulnerable areas of 

the environment within the District from the detrimental effects 

of mineral extraction. Their identification has taken account 

of nature conservation interests, the archaeological and built 

heritage, landscape quality and character, visual prominence, 

amenity value, and geological/geomorphological interest. 

In view of their scientific importance all Wildlife Refuges, Nature 

Reserves, Areas of Special Scientific Interest, Areas of Scientific 

Interest, Ramsar sites, Special Protection Areas and Special 

Areas of Conservation are designated as Areas of Constraint on 

Mineral Developments. 

Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance are designated as 

Areas of Constraint on Mineral Developments (Designation COU 

98

7). These are indicated on Map No. 1 - Countryside and in Map 

Nos. 4-75 of Part 3 of the Plan. 

Proposals for the development of mineral resources within these 

areas will be determined in accordance with prevailing regional 

planning policy, currently set out in Policy MIN 3 of the Rural 

Strategy. 


Proposal COU 11 Park and Ride / Park and 

Share Transportation Scheme 

at Castledawson roundabout 

A site with development potential for a park and ride/ 

park and share Transportation Scheme is identified on 

Map No. 1 - Countryside. 

Policy for the control of development on land required for 

transportation scheme proposals is contained in Policy TRAN 1 in 


In order to encourage modal shift from private cars to public 

transport, the site is identified on a key commuter route 

between Belfast and Londonderry along which Goldliner bus 

services operate. It is anticipated that the site, if found to be 

suitable, may provide 20 to 50 car parking spaces, subject to the 

outcome of a feasibility study. 

Prior to the completion of a feasibility study, conducted by or on 

behalf of Roads Service, into the suitability of the sites for the 

proposed use, planning permission will not be granted for any 

other form of development which would prejudice the provision 

of Park and Ride / Park and Share facilities. 

A feasibility study will be completed within 2 years of the 

publication of the Adopted Plan into the suitability of the site 

99

Countryside 

for the proposed use. The Department will continue to protect 

only those sites which the feasibility study has shown to be 

suitable for the purpose. 

Proposal COU 12 Park and Ride / Park and 

Share Transportation 

Scheme outside Maghera. 

Two sites with development potential for park and 

ride/park and share Transportation Schemes are 





In order to encourage modal shift from private cars to public 

transport, the sites are identified on a key commuter route 

between Belfast and Londonderry along which Goldliner bus 

services operate. It is anticipated that each site, if found to be 

suitable, may provide 20 to 50 car parking spaces, subject to the 

outcome of a feasibility study. 

Prior to the completion of a feasibility study, conducted by or on 

behalf of Roads Service, into the suitability of the sites for the 

proposed use, planning permission will not be granted for any 

other form of development which would prejudice the provision 

of Park and Ride / Park and Share facilities. 

A feasibility study will be completed within 2 years of the 

publication of the Adopted Plan. The Department will continue 

to protect only those sites which the feasibility study has shown 

to be suitable for the purpose. 

100

PROPOSAL COU 13 Transportation Scheme 

for the upgrading and the 

dualling of the A6 between 

the western end of the 

Toome bypass and the 

junction of the A31 and A6 

at Castledawson. 

A road line and a study area for a Transportation 

Scheme for the upgrading and dualling of the A6 

road between the western end of the Toome bypass 

and the junction of the A31 and A6 at Castledawson is 





Upgrading and dualling of the A6 between the western end of 

the Toome bypass and the roundabout at the entrance to the 

industrial estate at Creagh will be on the line of the existing 

road. This line is identified on Map No. 1 - Countryside. 

Upgrading and dualling of the A6 will also be implemented 

between the above mentioned roundabout and the roundabout 

junction of the A31 and A6 at Castledawson. The alignment 

of the existing road may require to be changed in order to 

facilitate this scheme. Roads Service are considering various 

options for the eventual alignment within the study area which 

is identified on Map No. 1 - Countryside. The Department will 

afford protection within the study area in accordance with 

Policy TRAN 1 until a line for the route has been determined by 

Roads Service and endorsed through the statutory procedures of 

the Roads Order. Protection under Policy TRAN 1 will then only 

be applied to this line and be removed from the remainder of 

the study area. It is anticipated that Roads Service will identify a 

route by late 2004. 

101

Countryside 

Further details regarding the purpose, nature and timing of 

this transportation scheme are contained in the Transportation 


Proposal COU 14 Transportation Scheme 

for the widening of the 

A6 between the junction 

of the A6 and A31 at 

Castledawson and the 

Tamnadeese Road. 

A road line for a Transportation Scheme to upgrade 

the A6 between the junction of the A6 and A31 at 

Castledawson and the Tamnadeese Road is identified 

on Map No.1 - Countryside. 







Proposal COU 15 Transportation Scheme 

for the widening of the A6 

at Curran between Curran 

Link Road and McCooles 

Road. 

A road line for a Transportation Scheme to upgrade 

the A6 at Curran between Curran Link Road 

and McCooles Road is identified on Map No.1 - 

Countryside. 

102







PROPOSAL COU 16 

Transportation Scheme for 

a new road link between 

A6 and Aughrim Road. 

A road line for a Transportation Scheme for the 

provision of a new link road between the A6 and 

Aughrim Road is identified on Map No.1 – Countryside 

and Map No.80 - Creagh Industry. 




This road line will stretch between the roundabout on the A6 

at the entrance to the industrial estate at Creagh and Aughrim 

Road at the junction with Creagh Road. Part of this road 

accessing the industrial area from A6 has been constructed. 




103

Countryside 

PROPOSAL COU 17 Transportation Scheme 

for a new slip road on the 

northern side of the A6, 

between the A6 and 

Tobermore Road, 

outside Maghera. 

A road line for the provision of a new slip road 

between the A6 and Tobermore Road is identified on 

Map No.1 Countryside Map. 





this transportation scheme as well as a clarification map are 

contained in the Transportation Technical Supplement. 

Zoning COU 18 

Land zoned for Industry 

19.33 Hectares of land at the A6, Creagh is zoned 

for Industry as identified on Map No. 80 – Industrial 

Lands, Creagh. 

Key Site Requirements 

• The site shall be accessed by a purpose built 

industrial access road, linking to the A6 at the 

roundabout at the entrance to the industrial area. 

• Existing trees and vegetation along the northern 

boundary of the site to be retained. 

• Existing trees along the laneway defining that part 

of the western boundary adjacent to the electricity 

sub station are to be retained. 

104

• Contemporaneous with the new development, the 

existing vegetation along the northern boundary 

is to be augmented by the planting of a 15 metre 

landscaping belt of trees and vegetation of native 

species, to provide screening for the development 

from the A6 and to assist integration of the 

industrial buildings with the Countryside Policy 

Area. 

• Contemporaneous with the new development, 

the eastern boundary and also the eastern half 

of the southern boundary (contiguous with the 

disused airfield) are to be planted by an 8 to 

10 metre belt of trees and vegetation of native 

species to provide screening for the development 

from Creagh Road and to assist integration of the 

industrial buildings with the Countryside Policy 

Area. 

• Landscaping within the site shall be agreed with 

Planning Service at planning application stage. 

• A badger survey of the site will be required to be 

submitted along with any planning application 

and in advance of any site works. Appropriate 

protection measures are to be implemented 

in accordance with the recommendations of 

Environment and Heritage Service. 

• The developer’s attention is drawn to the high 

voltage overhead lines that cross the site which 

will impose development constraints in their 

vicinity. 

Existing Industrial Lands at Creagh 

There are 67 hectares of existing industrial land at the Creagh 

which are identified on Map No. 80 for information purposes 

only. This includes a 22 hectare site in the ownership of Invest 

Northern Ireland (INI) which is currently being laid out, and a 5.7 

hectare site which has a current planning approval but where 

development has not yet commenced. 

105

Part 4 

Settlements 

Towns 

175


MAGHERAFELT 

BACKGROUND 

Magherafelt town is the largest settlement in Magherafelt 

District, with an estimated population in 2001 of 8289 within 

the existing limit of development . Magherafelt accommodates 

approximately 21% of the total population of the District. 

Magherafelt is located to the north-west of Lough Neagh. It 

is some 56 kilometres to the north-west of Belfast and some 

65 kilometres to the south-east of Londonderry. Magherafelt 

lies on the A31 trunk road and is close to the A6 Belfast / 

Londonderry strategic route. 

The town has its roots in the Plantation of Ulster having been 

established by the Salters’ Company in c.1614. The Plantation 

legacy is still evident in the town’s wide Broad Street with the 

Market Square at the top (site of the Plantation castle and 

bawn), and the ruins of the Planters’ church at the lower end. 

The 19th Century Magherafelt consisted of four principal 

streets; Broad Street, Charity (Rainey) Street, The Pass (Queen 

Street) and Meeting (Market) Street. Modern development has 

taken place on and between the arterial routes radiating out 

from the town centre. 

Magherafelt town is situated on rising land to the west of the 

Lough Neagh lowlands. The surrounding landscape is dominated 

by shallow hills and ridges, with occasional distinctive small 

conical hills and sharp breaks of slope. 

There remains undeveloped land to the south-west of the town, 

which has been constrained by deficiencies in the road network 

and non provision of a by-pass. Through traffic from the northeast 

and south-west passes through the town centre and traffic 

congestion occurs at peak periods. Development of the town 

is not constrained by water supply however some drainage 

improvement works may be required. Periodic flooding occurs in 

several lower lying areas of the town close to watercourses. 

177



The RDS identifies Magherafelt as having an important role as 

a local service centre providing retail, health, educational and 

community facilities for the town’s population and a significant 

rural hinterland. The town has developed as a relatively strong 

retail centre and has experienced an above average level of new 

enterprise start-ups. Agriculture remains important to the local 

economy. 

The RDS recognises that Magherafelt town is well placed in 

relation to the Regional Strategic Transport Network which 

is an advantage to its future development. Its location in the 

heart of the Region and in close proximity to the Sperrins Area 

of Outstanding Natural Beauty provide a good opportunity for 

developing its tourism function. 

The RDS recognises that whilst there is potential for outward 

growth there are also opportunities for development of inner 

urban and recycled land within the built fabric of the town. 

The RDS recognises that Magherafelt has the potential to build 

on its role as an important employment centre and to further 

develop its growing housing, employment and service role. It 

also emphasises strengthening the town centre and its retail 

sector, developing public transport where possible and further 

increasing the economic self-sufficiency of the town. 

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 

Magherafelt is substantially the larger of the two towns within 

the District. Its prominence in terms of housing, industry, 

retailing, services, administration, and community facilities, 

together with its location relative to the regional strategic 

transportation network and its significant rural hinterland make 

it a sustainable location for future development within the 

District. 

In response to the issues impacting on the town and taking 

account of the RDS the Development Strategy is to: 

178

• define the current settlement development limit in order 

to identify sufficient lands for development in a variety of 

locations throughout the Plan period; 

• allocate sufficient land for housing in accordance with the 

Plan Strategy, to provide for choice of location, to maximise 

the use of vacant or under-developed land within the urban 

footprint and to promote a compact urban form; 

• facilitate the redevelopment of vacant under used lands 

in the town centre by identifying a range of development 

opportunity sites; 

• relieve existing and potential congestion within the 

town centre area by proposing a by-pass road from the 

Moneymore Road in the south-west to the Castledawson 

Road to the north-east; 

• provide a choice of location for a variety of employment 

uses by zoning additional lands. The zoning of additional 

areas for industry and employment uses will provide 

alternative locations to Creagh which accommodates the 

Invest Northern Ireland (INI) site and other larger scale 

industrial enterprises. 

• provide for the commercial expansion of the town centre 

by extending the town centre boundary and identifying a 

primary retail core; 

• seek to protect and to enhance the town’s environmental 

quality by designating and safeguarding local landscapes 

both within the town and on the urban fringe which 

contribute to visual amenity, to the setting of the town, 

or which contain particular features, locally valuable and 

worthy of retention; and 

• designate and protect part of Tobermore Road as an Area of 

Townscape Character. 

179


SETTLEMENT 

Designation MT 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 

A settlement development limit is designated as identified 

on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt. 

The settlement development limit is designated to take account 

of the town’s role as a local hub while protecting its natural 

setting. 

The opportunity for outward expansion is constrained in several 

locations by topographic and environmental factors including 

elevated land to the north and west and high quality landscape 

to the north, south and east of the town. The settlement 

development limit has therefore recognised the important 

contribution of these elements to the setting of the town. In 

addition, the proposed bypass road when implemented will 

provide an effective physical limit to development to the south 

and east, helping to curtail urban sprawl into the countryside. 

The settlement development limit maximises the use of existing 

land within the previous limit of development. The previous 

limit of development has been extended in several locations 

in order to provide additional land for housing and industry. 

The settlement development limit has also been extended to 

the south, off Moneymore Road and Ballyronan Road, to take 

account of established industrial development. The line of 

the proposed bypass has resulted in the previous limit being 

retracted in some locations and extended in others. 

180

HOUSING 

In line with its role as a local hub as established by the RDS 

and its District Town status, it is considered appropriate 

and in accordance with the RDS, that Magherafelt should 

accommodate a substantial portion of the District housing 

allocation. 

The Plan makes provision for approximately 1750 dwellings in 

Magherafelt town over the Plan period. This includes dwellings 

built since 31 December 1998, the yield arising from existing 

commitments and the estimated yield delivered by the housing 

zonings. Further details of the housing allocation are contained 

in the Population and Housing Technical Supplement. A total 

of approximately 68 hectares of land is zoned for housing in 

Magherafelt town under Allocation HOU 1 in Part 2 of the Plan. 

Housing lands are identified on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt. 

Sites have been selected to allow for the efficient use of 

land within the urban footprint, to provide choice in the 

housing market and to include existing commitments on sites 

where development has occurred since the beginning of the 

Plan period. Other factors influencing site selection include 

accessibility to the town centre and to public transport and the 

aim to minimise detrimental impact upon the environment. 

Zoned housing land will be developed in accordance with all 

prevailing regional planning policy and with the relevant Plan 

Proposals including the key site requirements. These key site 

requirements may include access requirements, infrastructure 

requirements, public open space provision, landscaping, 

provision for walking and/or cycling and other site specific 

requirements. In the case of the larger sites, the submission 

to the Department of a Concept Master Plan will be a key site 

requirement in the interests of comprehensive and quality 

development. 

Some of the zoned housing sites in Magherafelt are subject to 

drainage constraints. Prospective developers are recommended 

to consult with Rivers Agency of the Department of Agriculture 

181


and Rural Development and with the Water Service of the 

Department for Regional Development at an early stage. 

Further advice is contained in the Public Services and Utilities 

section in Part 2 of the Plan. 

HOUSING ZONINGS 

Zoning MT 02 

Housing Committed Housing 

Sites (Built Sites) 

The following sites are zoned for housing as identified 

on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt: 

MT 02/01 

MT 02/02 

MT 02/03 

MT 02/04 

MT 02/05 

MT 02/06 

Hospital Road (0.35 ha) 

Deramore Park 

The Brambles 

The Spires, Station Road (0.32 ha) 

Sherbourne Park/Heights 

Piney Hill (0.75 ha) 

Committed sites include approved housing sites developed in 

full or in part for 10 or more dwellings since the commencement 

of the Plan period. 

Details of the current (November/December 2003) status of 

these sites are set out below for information purposes. 

MT 02/01 

Hospital Road (0.35 hectare) 

Planning permission was granted for 14 dwellings on this site in 

May 2002 and are now built. 

MT 02/02 

Deramore Park 

10 dwellings have been built within this housing development 

since the start of the Plan period. Owing to the scattered 

location of these dwellings within the established housing 

development it is not feasible to portray a boundary 

encompassing these committed units. 

182

MT 02/03 

The Brambles 

This housing development was approved in July 1997, with an 

extension to the site approved in July 1998. Since the start of 

the Plan period 10 dwellings have been built. There is capacity 

for a further 2 approved units. Owing to the scattered location 

of these dwellings within the established housing development 

it is not feasible to portray a boundary encompassing these 

committed sites. 

MT 02/04 

The Spires, Station Road (0.32 hectare) 

Planning permission for 9 town houses was granted in April 

2000 and all have been built since then. There remains potential 

for 4 apartments which were approved in March 2003. 

MT 02/05 

Sherbourne Park / Heights 

This housing development has been subject to a number of 

applications, typically for 2 to 3 units. Since the start of the 

Plan period 15 dwellings have been built. There is capacity for 

a further 2 approved units. Owing to the scattered location of 

these dwellings within the established housing development 

it is not feasible to portray a boundary encompassing these 

committed units. 

MT 02/06 

Piney Hill (0.75 hectare) 

Full planning permission was granted for housing development 

on a larger site in June 1993. 10 dwellings have been built on 

the zoned site since January 2000, under an amended scheme 

approved in February 1999. The development is now complete. 

183


Zoning MT 03 


Sites (Approved Sites) 


on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt: 

MT 03/01 

MT 03/02 

MT 03/03 

MT 03/04 

MT 03/05 

MT 03/06 

MT 03/07 

MT 03/08 

MT 03/09 

MT 03/10 

Tobermore Road/Hospital Road (1.74 ha) 

Desertmartin Road (0.92 ha) 

Mullaghboy Hill Road (1.23 ha) 

Mullaghboy Lane (0.42 ha) 

Tobermore Road (0.86 ha) 


Moneymore Road (0.81 ha) 

Queen’s Avenue (0.22 ha) 

Piney Hill, off Ballyronan Road (0.67 ha) 


Committed sites include sites with extant planning permission 

for housing and sites that have not yet been approved but 

which are at a stage in the planning application process where 

there is a reasonable expectation that planning approval will 

be granted. Only those sites with approval or potential for 10 

dwellings or more have been zoned for housing. 

The Plan does not stipulate key site requirements for these sites 

as future development will be subject to the conditions attached 

to the relevant planning permissions. In the event that such 

permissions lapse, Planning Service may alter existing conditions 

or attach new conditions to any subsequent approval to take 

account of prevailing regional planning policy and the Adopted 


MT 03/01 

Tobermore Road / Hospital Road (1.74 hectares) 

There is a current application for outline planning permission 

for housing on this site. 

184

MT 03/02 

Desertmartin Road (0.92 hectares) 

Outline planning permission was granted for this site in May 

2003. There is a current reserved matters application for 18 

dwelling units. 

MT 03/03 

Mullaghboy Hill Road (1.23 hectares) 

Full planning permission for 13 dwellings on this site was 

granted in October 1998. 

MT 03/04 

Mullaghboy Lane (0.42 hectares) 

Full planning permission was granted in February 2002 for 12 

dwellings on this site. Two subsequent full approvals were issued 

in September 2002 and July 2003 for an additional 3 and 2 

dwellings respectively resulting in a total of 17 units. 

MT 03/05 

Tobermore Road (0.86 hectares) 

There is a current application for outline planning permission 

for 12 dwellings on this site. 

MT 03/06 


There is a current application for full planning permission for 69 

dwellings on this site. 

MT 03/07 

Moneymore Road (0.81 hectare) 



MT 03/08 

Queen’s Avenue (0.22 hectare) 



MT 03/09 

Piney Hill, off Ballyronan Road (0.67 hectare) 



185


MT 03/10 


Full planning permission was granted for 28 dwellings on this 

site in March 1998. In August 2003 no dwellings had been built, 

but the road layout was under construction. 

Zoning MT 04 

Housing Land opposite 

17-33a Ballyronan Road 

0.81 Hectare of land opposite 17-33a Ballyronan Road 

is zoned for housing as identified on Map No. 81a - 

Magherafelt. 


• Housing development to be a minimum gross site 

density of 22 dwellings per hectare. 

• The access is to be located at or close to the mid 

point of the site frontage onto Ballyronan Road. 

• The design layout for the development shall 

include dedicated provision for cyclists and 

pedestrians with links to Ballyronan Road. 

• Existing mature trees along the north-east and 

south-east boundaries are to be retained. 

• No dwellings are to back onto Ballyronan Road. 

186

Zoning MT 05 

Housing Land to south-east 

of Ballyronan Road 

6.0 Hectares of land to the south-east of Killowen 

Drive, Ballyronan Road are zoned for housing as 

identified on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt. 


• No development shall commence until a Concept 

Master Plan to facilitate the comprehensive 

development of the site has been submitted to 

and agreed with Planning Service. 



• The site can be accessed from Killowen Drive. 

Access to Aughrim Road via the existing housing 

development to the north of the site is 

also permissible for a maximum of 57 dwellings. 

• A right turning lane is required on Ballyronan 

Road into Killowen Drive and also Aughrim Road, 

if access is to be taken from the latter. 

• Direct access to the site will not be permitted from 

the proposed 

bypass. 



pedestrians with links to Ballyronan Road and 

Aughrim Road. 

• Contemporaneous with the new development, an 

8 to 10 metre planted landscape buffer consisting 

of indigenous trees and hedgerow species to 

be provided along the south-eastern boundary 

187


contiguous with the line of the proposed bypass. 

This is intended to provide screening for the 

development and to help mitigate the impact of 

traffic noise and pollution. 

• Provision of a 2 metre minimum planted buffer 

along the south-western boundary adjoining the 

petrol filling station to safeguard the 

amenity of the proposed dwellings. 


along the north western boundary adjoining the 

industrial estate to safeguard the 

amenity of the proposed dwellings. 

• Existing trees and vegetation along the northwestern 

boundary to be retained. 

Zoning MT 06 

Housing Land opposite 

Park Lane, Killyfaddy 

0.75 Hectare of land opposite Park Lane, Killyfaddy 

Road is zoned for housing as identified on Map No. 

81a - Magherafelt. 




• The private lane along the northern boundary of 

the site to be incorporated into the access road 

serving the proposed housing. 

188



pedestrians with links to Killyfaddy Road. 

• Existing trees and vegetation along site 

boundaries are to be retained except where 

removal is necessary to facilitate access to the 

development. 

Zoning MT 07 

Housing Land at Thornhill 

Court 

0.83 Hectare of land at Thornhill Court is zoned for 

housing as identified on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt. 


• The site shall be accessed from Coolshinney Road 

via the Thornhill housing development. 

• Housing development shall be limited to a 

maximum of 17 dwellings in order to comply with 

access requirements. 



pedestrians with links to Moneymore Road and 

Thornhill Court. 

• Existing trees along the eastern boundary of the 

site with Moneymore Road are to be retained. 

• Residential layout to be designed to ensure that 

dwellings front onto Moneymore Road . 

189


Zoning MT 08 

Housing Land between 

Coolshinney Road and 

Moneymore Road (adjacent 

to Thornhill Avenue) 

3.17 Hectares of land between Coolshinney Road and 

Moneymore Road (adjacent to Thornhill Avenue) are 

zoned for housing as identified on Map No. 81a - 



• Housing development shall be a minimum gross 

site density of 16 dwellings per hectare. 

• Access to the site shall be taken from Coolshinney 

Road. 

• A right turn lane on Coolshinney Road which must 

not compromise a right turn lane into site MT 15. 



pedestrians with links to Coolshinney Road and 

Moneymore Road. 

• Residential layout to be designed to ensure 

that dwellings front onto Coolshinney Road and 


190

Zoning MT 09 

Housing Coolshinney Road 

and Moneymore Road 

1.32 Hectares of land between Coolshinney Road and 

Moneymore Road are zoned for housing as identified 





• A right turn lane on Moneymore Road which must 

not compromise a right turn lane into site MT 14. 



pedestrians with links to Moneymore Road. 

• Residential layout to be designed to ensure that 

dwellings front onto Moneymore Road. 

• No dwellings are to back onto Coolshinney Road. 

• Existing trees and vegetation along the northern 

boundary to be retained. 

Zoning MT 10 


Mullaghboy Hill Road and 

Lisadell Drive 

1.32 Hectares of land between Mullaghboy Hill Road 

and Lisadell Drive are zoned for housing as identified 


191





• The southern part of the site shall be reserved for 

single storey development with a maximum ridge 

height of 5.5 metres. This area is defined as land 

to the south of the 80 metre contour line. 

• The layout is to be designed to ensure that 

dwellings do not back onto Mullaghboy Hill Road. 

• Existing trees and vegetation along the western 

boundary of the site to be retained. 

• The layout is to avoid retaining walls in excess of 

1.5 metres. 



pedestrians with links to Mullaghboy Hill Road. 

Zoning MT 11 


Tobermore Road and 

Desertmartin Road 

1.68 Hectares of land between Tobermore Road and 

Desertmartin Road are zoned for housing as identified 



• The site lies within an Area of Townscape Character 

and any future planning application will be considered 

within the context of Policy CON 4 Part 2 of the Plan 

and Designation MT 32 of Part 4 of the Plan. 

192

• Housing development shall be limited to a maximum of 

11 dwellings to recognise the location of the site within 

a designated Area of Townscape Character which is 

characterised by low residential density. 

• A planning application for development of the site 

must be accompanied by a fully detailed tree survey 

carried out by a qualified arboriculturist. 

• The following areas within the site are excluded from 

development: 

(1) A copse of mature trees on the Desertmartin Road 

frontage located between No.7 Desertmartin Road 

and the driveway to Mullaghboy House. 

(2) Belts of mature trees around the perimeter of the 

site and inside the site boundary. 

Development in proximity to a tree will not be 

permitted within a distance equating to half of the 

height of the tree or the equivalent of the crown 

spread, whichever is the greater, unless required for 

access points, which shall be minimised. 

• The layout is to be designed to ensure a built frontage 

of two-storey, detached dwellings to Tobermore Road. 

A maximum of 5 such dwellings set back at least 30 

metres from the site frontage will be permitted. This is 

to reflect the existing building line and built form on 

Tobermore Road. 

• The remainder of the dwellings shall be provided in 

the western portion of the site adjacent to the Fern 

Drive housing. House types in this area may be semidetached 

or detached and either single or 2 storey. 

These dwellings must not back onto Desertmartin Road. 

• The design layout for the development shall include 

193


provision for cyclists and pedestrians with links to 

Tobermore Road and Desertmartin Road. 

Zoning MT 12 

Housing Land at Hospital 

Road, adjacent to Regency 

Court 

0.23 Hectare of land at Hospital Road, adjacent to 

Regency Court, is zoned for housing as identified on 

Map No. 81a - Magherafelt. 



density of 61 dwellings per hectare within the 

developable area of the site (estimated at 0.17 

hectare) to reflect the density of the adjacent 

development at Regency Court. 

• Access to the site shall be via Regency Court. 

• The layout is to be designed to ensure a built 

frontage of 2 to 2.5 storey, terraced blocks to 

Regency Court. 

• Mature trees and existing vegetation along the 

stream which defines the north-east and northwest 

boundaries of the site are to be retained. 



pedestrians with links to Hospital Road. 

194

Zoning MT 13 

Housing Land at Killyfaddy 

Road, to south of Park Lane 

3.63 Hectares of land at Killyfaddy Road, to the south 

of Park Lane, are zoned for housing as identified on 

Map No. 81a - Magherafelt. 



density of 10 dwellings per hectare and a maximum 

gross density of 15 dwellings per hectare to take 

account of the topography of the site. 

• Steeply sloping and elevated land above the 80 

metre contour level shall be reserved for single storey 

development with a maximum ridge height of 5.5 

metres. 

• The site is to be accessed via Park Lane. 

• A right turn lane on Killyfaddy Road. 

• The design layout shall include dedicated provision for 

cyclists and pedestrians with links to Killyfaddy Road. 

• Direct access from the site will not be permitted to the 

proposed bypass. 

• Contemporaneous with the new development, an 8 

to 10 metre planted landscape buffer consisting of 

indigenous trees and hedgerow species to be provided 

along the southern boundary contiguous with the line 

of the proposed bypass. This is intended to provide 

screening for the development and to help mitigate the 

impact of traffic noise and pollution. It is also intended 

to assist visual integration of the new development 

with the green belt. 

195


• The layout is to be designed to ensure that dwellings 

front onto Killyfaddy Road. 

• No dwellings are to back onto Park Lane between 

Killyfaddy Road and number 18 Park Lane. 

• Retaining walls shall not exceed 1.5 metres in height. 

Zoning MT 14 

Housing Land at Moneymore 

Road 

14.92 Hectares of land at Moneymore Road are 







and agreed with Planning Service. The Concept 

Master Plan shall incorporate details of any 

phasing proposed by the developer. 

• Housing development to be a minimum gross 

site density of 20 dwellings per hectare and 

a maximum gross density of 25 dwellings per 

hectare. 

. Direct access from the site will not be permitted 

to the propose bypass. 

. The Concept Master Plan can take account of a 

maximum of 2 accesses onto Moneymore Road, 

in line with guidance contained within ‘Creating 

Places’. 

196

. Right turning lanes are required from 

Moneymore Road. Their locations must not 

compromise the provision of a right turn lane 

into site MT07. 

• The existing mound and associated scrub 

vegetation, located along the north-east boundary 

in proximity to Manor Downs and Manor Avenue, 

shall be retained and incorporated into the overall 

design and layout of the scheme, as an area of 

public open space and wildlife habitat. 

• The existing mature vegetation and trees at the 

south-western end of the site, located to the rear 

of the primary school and further to the southwest, 

shall be retained and incorporated into the 

overall design and layout of the scheme, as an 

area of public open space and wildlife habitat. 

• Contemporaneous with the new development an 


of indigenous trees and hedgerow species to 

be provided along the south-east boundary 

contiguous with the line of the proposed bypass. 


development and to help mitigate the impact of 

traffic noise and pollution. It is also intended to 

assist visual integration of the new development 

with the green belt. 

• The design layout shall include dedicated 



197


Zoning MT 15 

Housing Land at Coolshinney 

Road 

5.54 Hectares of land at Coolshinney Road are 







hectare 

• A right turning lane is required on Coolshinney 

Road. This must not compromise provision of a 

right turn lane into site MT08. 



Coolshinney Road. 

• Steeply sloping and elevated land above the 90 

metre contour level shall be reserved for single 

storey development with a maximum ridge height 

of 5.5 metres. 

• Access arrangements and dwelling layout to 

be designed to ensure a built frontage onto 

Coolshinney Road . 

• Existing hedgerows and trees along the north and 

west boundaries to be retained. 

198

Zoning MT 16 

Housing Land at Mullaghboy 

Road 

0.41 Hectare of land at Mullaghboy Crescent is 






• The design layout shall ensure that no dwellings 

back onto Mullaghboy Crescent. 

Zoning MT 17 

Housing Land at Tobermore 

Road 

3.04 Hectares of land at Tobermore Road are zoned for 






hectare. 

• A right turning lane on Tobermore Road. 




• Housing development in the field to the rear 

(western-most field) shall be restricted to single 

or 1.5 storey with a maximum ridge height of 6.0 

metres. 

199


• Access arrangements and dwelling layout to 

be designed to ensure a built frontage onto 


• Existing boundary trees and vegetation are to be 

retained. Contemporaneous with the proposed 

development, an 8 to 10 metre planted landscape belt 

consisting of indigenous tree and hedgerow species to 

be provided along the north and west site boundaries to 

augment existing vegetation. This is intended to provide 

screening for the development and to assist visual 

integration of the new development with the green belt. 

Zoning MT 18 

Housing Land at Ballyheifer 

Road 

11.44 Hectares of land off Ballyheifer Road are 







and agreed with Planning Service. The Concept 

Master Plan shall incorporate details of any 

phasing proposed by the developer. 




hectare. 

• The site can be accessed from Ballyheifer Road 

via the disused rail bed, from Derramore Park and 

from Station Road. However the Ballyheifer Road 

access shall be the primary access which will serve 

the bulk of the new development. Only a limited 

200

number of dwellings will be permitted to take 

access from Derramore Park and Station Road. The 

developer is advised to liaise with Planning Service 

and Roads Service with regard to this key site 

requirement prior to the formulation of a Concept 

Master Plan for the comprehensive development 

of the site. 

• A right turn lane must be provided into Ballyheifer 

Road from Hospital Road. 

• The design layout for this development shall 


pedestrians with links to Hospital Road (via 

disused railway and Ballyheifer Road); to Station 

Road (from the northern portion of the site); and 

to Derramore Park (from the southern portion of 

the site). 

• The mature trees and vegetation along the disused 

rail bed shall be retained except where removal is 

required to facilitate access. 

• Contemporaneous with the new development, an 


of indigenous trees and hedgerow species to be 

provided along the north-east boundary of the 

site. This is intended to assist visual integration of 

the new development in the green belt and with 

the adjacent Local Landscape Policy Area. 

201


Zoning MT 19 

Housing Land at Westland 

Drive 

0.35 Hectare of land at Westland Drive is zoned for 





• Access to be via Westland Drive existing parking 

provision to be accommodated within the 

proposed development. 

• Pedestrian and cycle links to both Westland Drive 

and Moneymore Road. 

• The design layout shall ensure a built frontage 

onto Westland Drive. 

Zoning MT 20 

Housing Land at Killowen 

Drive 

0.72 Hectare of land at Killowen Drive is zoned for 





• Access to be via Killowen Drive, which must not 

compromise access to MT03. 

202

• Right turn lane to be provided on Ballyronan Road 

into Killowen Drive. 

• Pedestrian and cycle links to Killowen Drive and 

Ballyronan Road. 


onto Ballyronan Road. 

• The design layout shall ensure that dwellings do 

not back onto Killowen Drive. 

203


INDUSTRY 

In keeping with the status of Magherafelt as a local hub 

within the context of the RDS, and as the District Town, it is 

proposed to provide the opportunity to further develop its role 

as a location of employment, by zoning some 14.2 hectares of 

industry / employment land within the settlement development 

limit. 

The Magherafelt Area Plan 1976-1996 zoned areas of land for 

industry within Magherafelt and there are pockets within some 

of these sites which remain undeveloped or vacant. A previously 

zoned site at Station Road remains undeveloped. It is zoned for 

industry in the Plan. 

An additional 4 areas are zoned for industrial development 

in accordance with Allocation IND 1 in Part 2 of the Plan. All 

industrial zonings are identified on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt. 

These lands are in a variety of locations to allow for a range of 

industrial types and site choice. 

Applications for planning permission within these sites will be 

determined in accordance with prevailing regional planning 

policy and the key site requirements in the Plan. 

INDUSTRIAL ZONINGS 

The following sites MT 21 – MT 25 are zoned for industry as 


Zoning MT 21 

Industry Land at Station 

Road / Castledawson Road 

2.8 Hectares of land at Station Road/Castledawson 

Road are zoned for industry as identified on Map No. 

81a - Magherafelt. 

204


• The site is to be used for light industrial use as defined 

in Use Class 4 of the Planning (Use Classes) Order 

(Northern Ireland) 1989 as amended and for no other 

type of industrial use. 

• Access arrangements and industrial layout are to ensure 

that buildings do not back onto Castledawson Road. 

• All new development shall provide a high quality of 

layout and design. 

• Buildings shall exhibit variety in their elevational 

treatment and heights. 

• Any open storage areas to be located so as to be 

screened from view from Castledawson Road. 

• Access to the site shall be from Station Road. 

• A right turning lane on Station Road. 

• Development of the site may require improvements 

to be carried out to the junction of Station Road with 

Castledawson Road. The developer is advised to consult 

with Roads Service at an early stage. 

• Pedestrian access from the site is to be provided onto 

Castledawson Road. 

• The existing boundary wall along the Castledawson 

Road frontage to be replaced by fencing of a type to be 

agreed with the Department. 

This site was a former military barracks which has been declared 

as surplus to the requirements of the Ministry of Defence. 

205


Zoning MT 22 

Industry Land at Station 

Road 

0.9 Hectare of land at Station Road is zoned for 

industry as identified on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt. 


• The site is to be used for light industrial use 

as defined in Use Class 4 of the Planning (Use 

Classes) Order 1989 as amended and for no other 

type of industrial use. 

• Access arrangements and industrial layout are to 

ensure that buildings do not back onto Station 

road. 

• All new development shall provide a high quality 

of layout and design. 

• Buildings shall exhibit variety in their elevational 


• Any open storage areas are to be located so as to 

be screened from view from Station Road. 

• The existing hedgerow along the Station Road site 

frontage to be retained. 

This site was zoned for industry in the Magherafelt Area Plan 

1976-1996. It is currently vacant. The proximity of the site to the 

Water Service and Roads Service depots render the site suitable 

for an industrial use. 

Zoning MT 23 

Industry Land at Ballyronan 

Road 

1.9 Hectares of land at Ballyronan Road are zoned for 

industry as identified on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt. 

206


• All new development shall provide a high quality of 

layout and design. 

• Access arrangements and industrial layout are to ensure 

that buildings do not back onto Ballyronan Road. 

• Any open storage areas to be located so as to be 

screened from view from Ballyronan Road. 

• Existing trees and vegetation along the Ballyronan 

Road site frontage to be retained. 

Zoning MT 24 

Industry Land at 

Ballymoghan Road 

5.0 Hectares of land at Ballymoghan Road are 

zoned for industry as identified on Map No. 81a - 







• Ballymoghan Road will require widening to 

accommodate industrial traffic. The developer is 

advised to consult with Roads Service at an early 

stage. 

• Development of the site is dependant on the 

provision of a right turn lane from the A31 into 

Ballymoghan Road. The developer is advised to 

consult with Roads Service at an early stage. 

207



the south-east and north-east boundaries of the 

site are to be planted with an 8-10 metre belt 

of trees of native species to provide screening 

for the development and to assist integration of 

industrial buildings with the Green Belt. 

• Landscaping to be carried out along the site 

frontage to Ballymoghan Road and within the site 

in line with Departmental guidance at planning 

application stage. 

Zoning MT 25 

Industry Land at 

Ballymoghan Road 

3.63 Hectares of land at Ballymoghan Road are 

zoned for industry as identified on Map No. 81a - 






treatment and height. 

• Ballymoghan Road will require to be widened to 

accommodate industrial traffic. The developer is 

advised to consult with Roads Service at an early 

stage. 

• Development of the site is dependant on the 

provision of a right turn lane from the A31 into 

Ballymoghan Road. The developer is advised to 

consult with Roads Service at an early stage. 

208

• Contemporaneous with the new development , 

the west and south-east boundaries of the site 

are to be planted with an 8 to 10 metre belt of 

trees of native species to provide screening for 

the development and to assist integration of 

industrial buildings with the Green Belt. 

• Landscaping to be carried out along the site 

frontage to Ballymoghan Road and within the site 

in line with Departmental guidance at planning 

application stage. 


The following major areas of existing industrial land are 

identified for information only on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt. 

• Station Road Industrial Estate 

• Aughrim Road Industrial Estate 

• Concrete works, Ballyronan Road 

• Henry Brothers Industrial site, Moneymore Road. 

209



Magherafelt is situated on the A31 trunk road and 

approximately 1.6 kilometres from the A6, the strategic route 

between Belfast and Londonderry. The Toomebridge bypass, 

a substantial portion of which lies in the District, is currently 

under construction. This major road scheme will improve 

communications between Belfast City, the ports and airports. 

Similarly, enhancements to the western section of the A6 

have improved communications with Londonderry. Additional 

proposals to upgrade the A6 between the end of the M22 

motorway at Randalstown and the A31 at Castledawson to dual 

carriageway standard will further enhance this strategic route, 

providing a safer network with more reliable journey times. 

The A31 is also part of the east-west route north of Lough 

Neagh linking the west of the Province with the A6 and the 

major urban areas in the east. Consequently, the road system 

within the town carries a high proportion of through traffic in 

addition to locally generated traffic. 

In the town centre, the local network converges on the 

junctions at The Diamond. As a result, Broad Street, Market 

Street, Queen Street and Rainey Street as well as Union Road 

and Church Street each carry high volumes of traffic. Onstreet 

parking and the limited capacity of the main junctions 

in the town to deal with traffic exacerbate the situation. The 

results are congestion, particularly at peak times, conflict with 

pedestrians, degradation of the environment and a diminished 

attractiveness of the town centre as a shopping destination. 

Six off street car parking areas, two of which are privately 

controlled, serve the town centre and in addition there is a 

considerable amount of on-street parking. 

210

Proposal MT 26 

Eastern Bypass 

Transportation Scheme 

The Eastern Bypass Transportation Scheme is 


The Policy for the protection of transportation scheme proposals 

is contained in Policy TRAN 1 in Part 2 of the Plan. 

The key component of the Transportation Strategy for 

Magherafelt is the Eastern Bypass. This scheme will link the 

Castledawson Road to the Moneymore Road and will assist in 

diverting through traffic away from the centre of Magherafelt. 

This will relieve traffic congestion in and around the town 

centre, improve journey times for both public and private 

transport, encourage investment and growth in Magherafelt 

and enhance the attractiveness of the town. This scheme 

is subject to further detailed design to establish precise 

alignments. During the detailed design stage, a study will be 

carried out to assess the requirement for providing a pedestrian 

link between the Ballyronan Road playing fields on the eastern 

side of the proposed bypass and the residential areas within the 

settlement development limit. 

The Roads Service Ten Year Forward Planning Schedule is still 

under consideration and the Eastern Bypass road is one of 

a number of schemes being considered for inclusion in the 

Schedule. Until the content of the Schedule is decided the 

commencement date for the construction of the Eastern Bypass 

road will not be known. 

LOCAL TRANSPORT STUDY 

During the Plan period, as part of the Local Transport Study to 

be undertaken by the Department for Regional Development 

(DRD), a number of Local Transport and Safety schemes will 

be identified for implementation within Magherafelt which is 

identified as an Urban Area within the Sub Regional Transport 

Plan. These schemes, which will be in line with DRD’s Regional 

211


Transportation Strategy, will further enhance the town through 

better management of traffic, accident reduction, facilities for 

the disabled, and improvements to the urban road, cycle and 

footway network. Implementation of identified schemes will be 

subject to the availability of resources within the SRTP. 

The feasibility of providing access improvements to Union Road 

bus station will be investigated. 

The need for any additional car parking facilities that may be 

required within Magherafelt will be assessed. 

The need for improved management of traffic flows within 

the town centre will be assessed and will encourage the use of 

public transport as well as other modes of transport. 

The Study will identify cycling demand and opportunities 

to encourage cycling through provision of new works or by 

the inclusion of cycling in road improvement schemes, where 

appropriate. 

212


The following sites MT 27 – MT 31 are designated as Local 

Landscape Policy Areas as identified on Map No. 81a – 


Designation MT 27 Local Landscape Policy Area 

Mullaghboy Hill Slopes 

A Local Landscape Policy Area is designated as 

identified on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt, Map No. 1 - 

Countryside and Map No. 81b – Local Landscape Policy 

Areas showing the full extent of LLPAs affecting the 

settlement of Magherafelt. 

Those features or combination of features that 

contribute to the environmental quality, integrity or 

character of these areas are listed below: 

• Localised hill and associated vegetation contributes 

to the setting of the town, especially when viewed 

from the west; 

• Attractive green slopes with visually significant 

mature trees in field boundaries contributes to the 

setting of the town; 

• The hill and vegetation form a good entrance 

feature into the town from the west and 

a significant visual stop to the edge of the 

settlement development limit. 

213



Glebe Lands 


identified on Map No. 81a – Magherafelt and Map 

No. 81b – Local Landscape Policy Areas showing 

the full extent of LLPAs affecting the settlement of 





• Localised hill occupied by an historical grouping of 

the old Planters’ church and graveyard (an historic 

monument) on the site of a medieval Parish church, 

2 rectories (listed buildings) and Glebe lands, 

including their mature settings and views from 

various parts of the town; 

• Mature trees within boundary hedges are visually 

significant environmental assets, and a valuable 

townscape feature, a focus at the bottom of Broad 

Street and a distinctive form seen from Union 

Street. 

214



King Street 


identified on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt and Map 







• Historically and visually significant grouping of 

locally important buildings - the Presbyterian 

Manse, 2 Parochial Houses, listed St. Swithin’s (C 

of I) Church, and associated vegetation including 

mature trees, the majority of which are within 

boundary hedges; 

• Small hill with mature woodland is of wildlife value 

and is visually significant in the local landscape and 

townscape; 

• Listed Church of Ireland Church, a blackstone 

building in Gothic style, is prominent in the 

townscape of Church Street and in views, especially 

from Church Street / Castledawson Road; 

• Presbyterian Manse and Parochial House are large 

substantial properties on large sites with mature 

vegetation. They are individually distinctive and 

contribute to the character of the historic core of 

the town. 

216


Brennen Court 


identified on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt and Map 







• Mature vegetation including trees along the 

Roadside boundary, visually significant in the local 

landscape, and a distinctive feature on a main 

approach to the town centre; 

• Listed building in mature grounds with listed 

boundary wall contribute to the built character of 

the local area; 

• Sensitively designed sheltered housing scheme 

contributes to the built character of the local area. 


North and East Magherafelt 


identified on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt, Map No. 1 - 


Areas showing the full extent of LLPAs affecting the 

settlement of Magherafelt. 



character of these areas are listed overleaf: 

217


• Significant groups of mature trees along the 

Tobermore Road and adjacent field boundaries, 

north of the Hospital Road junction, form a good 

entrance feature to the town; 

• Ballyheifer House is a late Georgian farmhouse, 

a listed and locally important building. It is set 

within mature treed grounds and on a low hill, and 

is visually significant in the local landscape; 

• Irish Hill and Donnelly’s Hill are raised localised 

landforms along the town’s northern boundary and 

are visible in the wider landscape. They incorporate 

good hedgerows and are part of the traditional 

rural setting of the town; 

• Important green slopes with hedgerows to the 

north of Station Road industrial estate, which 

defines the edge of the town at this place, and 

are part of the traditional rural the setting of the 

town; 

• Mature trees and other significant vegetation 

within Polepatrick Cemetery and parklands 

contribute to the quality of the approaches and 

entrance into the town from the north-east, and 

are a significant visual stop to the edge of the 

settlement development limit; 

• Mature trees along both sides of the Castledawson 

Road, adjacent to Polepatrick Cemetery and northeastwards 

to St. John’s RC Church, form a good 

entrance feature into the town from the northeast; 

• St. John’s RC Church (and graveyard) is a locally 

important building situated on a visually 

prominent site off the Castledawson Road, with 

a backdrop of mature trees along two of its 

218

oundaries, contributing to the setting of the town 

and the quality of the approaches from the north 

east; 

• Glenbrook House is a listed and locally important 

building in a mature estate landscape. Mature trees 

along field and lane boundaries contribute to the 

quality of the wider area, and to the character of 

the approach to the town from the north-east; 

• Millbrook House is a locally important building 

in a mature estate landscape. Mature trees along 

field and lane boundaries contribute to the quality 

of the wider area, and to the character of the 

approach to the town from the north-east; 

• Windmill Hill is a raised localised landform on 

the town’s eastern boundary, is visible in the 

wider landscape, especially from Pound Road 

and contributes to the setting of the town. It 

incorporates good hedgerows and mature trees 

and helps form a backdrop to the town to the east; 

• Several stream corridors traverse the area, acting 

as wildlife corridors, often with visually significant 

treed banks and steep slopes, contributing to the 

quality landscape; 

• The range of land cover including wetland, 

grassland, hedges and trees are of value for 

biodiversity. 

This large LLPA is an area of distinctive landscape that 

historically has been used and transformed in various ways, 

ranging from agricultural uses represented by traditional field 

patterns to the intensively shaped and planted parkland of the 

country houses. It is the most distinctive part of the town and 

makes a major contribution to its sense of place, and provides 

an outstanding approach to the town from the main A6 Road. 

219


Policy for the control of development in Local Landscape Policy 

Areas is contained in Policy CON 2 in Part 2 of the Plan. 

Designation MT 32 Area of Townscape 

Character 

An Area of Townscape Character is designated as 

identified on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt and Map No. 

81c - Magherafelt ATC. 

The key features of the area which will be taken 

into account when assessing development proposals 

against Policy CON 4 are as follows: 

• Mostly large, 2 storey and detached, residential 

properties; 

• Properties in large mature gardens, set back from 

the road with long front garden areas; 

• Variety of house types from traditional to modern 

design; 

• Mullaghboy House, a large 2-storey Victorian 

property set within a substantial site, which is 

bounded by mature trees. These trees make a 

significant contribution to the character of the 

area; 

• Built form is subservient to the mature trees and 

other vegetation; 

• Residential properties in single occupancy use. 

The ATC has a strong sense of place based on regularity of form, 

built and enclosed, and variety of mature planting, which have 

been deliberately combined to create a tranquil suburb which is 

a pleasing contrast with the vitality of the town centre. 

220


The retention of existing vegetation will be a prime constraint 

to new development. 

The form and scale of existing dwellings, and their proportion, 

in relation to their setting, contribute to the high amenity 

value of the Area. Low density development with a sensitive 

approach will therefore be required to any new development. 

Maintaining the character and relationship of buildings and 

spaces will be fundamental in considering the setting and 

orientation of any new proposals in order to safeguard the 

amenity of neighbouring properties. 

Part of the character of this ATC is the juxtaposition of a wide 

range of building style and materials. The earlier properties 

often have a smooth render or wet dash finish with a natural 

slate roof. Later properties introduce pebbledash and large 

areas of brick. Some dwellings use concrete interlocking roof 

tiles. There are examples of semi-detached and single storey 

dwellings, and hip roofs. This variety allows more flexibility in 

the design of any new building that might be acceptable, but 

design principles must reflect those that are established, and 

new build must harmonise with the group. Vertical proportions 

and a high solid to void ratio are common themes in the 

building design. 

It should be noted that part of the ATC is zoned for housing 

under zoning MT 11. 

Policy for control of development in Areas of Townscape 

Character is contained in Policy CON 4 in Part 2 of the Plan. 

222


Magherafelt District Council owns and manages outdoor 

playing spaces and other areas of open space throughout 

Magherafelt town. The single largest area for outdoor playing 

space is at Meadowbank on the Ballyronan Road. This is further 

supplemented by playing fields and a playground at Stoney 

Park, adjacent to the Greenvale Leisure Centre, close to the 

town centre. 

The following major areas of existing open space are identified 

for information only on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt: 

• Playing fields adjacent to Leckagh Drive; 

• Rainey Endowed School playing fields; 

• St Mary’s Grammar School playing fields; 

• St Pius X High School playing fields. 

Additionally, there are private bowling, golf and rugby facilities 

in the town. 

Magherafelt District Council has not identified a need for 

additional land for open space over the Plan period. 

223


TOWN CENTRE 

Magherafelt town is the main shopping and retail services 

centre for the District and surrounding rural areas. It is 

located close to the Key Transport Corridor between Belfast 

and Londonderry and is linked to Cookstown via the A31. 

It has a multi-functional role providing educational, health, 

administrative, community and recreational facilities as well as 

being the focus of commercial activity for the area. 

The town has several independent retailers providing a range of 

convenient and comparison goods centred on Broad Street and 

The Diamond. Meadowlane Shopping Centre contains some of 

the national retailers and there are several public houses, cafes, 

offices and banks throughout the town. There are several vacant 

properties and some gap sites in the town particularly close to 

the Broad Street/Church Street junction. New developments 

include a hotel in Church Street and shop units and bingo hall 

in Union Road. There are current opportunities for new retail 

activities within the town centre particularly close to the Broad 

Street/Church Street junction where there are a number of 

vacant and under-utilised units. These have the potential to be 

refurbished or redeveloped with the option of utilising upper 

floors for non-retail use. 

There is good pedestrian access to the centre from the bus 

depot located behind Broad Street and the main car parks 

located off Union Road, King Street, Rainey Street and Fair 

Hill. However, vehicular access to the town centre car parks is 

hampered by significant traffic congestion caused by the volume 

of locally generated and through traffic. 

A detailed town centre health check was carried out as part of 

the development plan process to provide a benchmark against 

which to measure the effects of future change in economic 

activity in the town centre. Details of the town centre health 

check are contained in the Commerce Technical Supplement. 

There are a number of sites within the town centre which 

present opportunities for development. 

224


Designation MT 33 Town Centre 

A Town Centre is designated for Magherafelt as 

identified on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt and Map No. 

81d - Magherafelt Town Centre . 

The Development Strategy seeks to accommodate growth in the 

commercial role of the town centre to a greater degree than has 

been achieved during recent years. 

The town centre is therefore more extensive than that 

contained in the Magherafelt Area Plan 1976-1996. It has been 

designated to include a wide range of commercial and noncommercial 

uses and reflects the main business activity area. 

It includes Broad Street, the Diamond, Market Street, Queen 

Street, Church Well Lane, Church Street, Meeting Street, Fair 

Hill, Garden Street and sections of Union Road, King Street, Kirk 

Avenue, Moneymore Road and Rainey Street. 

Development proposals within the town centre will be 

processed in accordance with prevailing regional planning policy 

currently contained within PPS 5 - Retailing and Town Centres. 

Designation MT 34 Primary Retail Core 

A Primary Retail Core is designated within 

Magherafelt Town Centre as identified on Map No. 81d 

- Magherafelt Town Centre. 

The purpose of identifying a primary retail core is to allow 

control to be exercised over development inside that area to 

ensure the continuance of a compact and attractive shopping 

environment, offering both choice and convenience. 

The area includes the main retail outlets such as Stewarts 

supermarket, the Diamond Centre, Cuddy’s and on the fringe 

is the Meadowlane Shopping Centre. It is a compact form 

centred around Broad Street, The Diamond, Market Street 

and Rainey Street with an extension to the south to include 

226

the Meadowlane Shopping Centre. The primary retail core 

also contains several banks and professional offices which 

are convenient in a shopping environment but any further 

expansion at street level within shopping frontages can displace 

significant amounts of retail floorspace, reduce shopper activity 

and impact upon the commercial viability of the area. 

There are two development opportunity sites identified within 

the primary retail core, on vacant land at 19-21 Broad Street and 

1-7 King Street in which the Department will encourage and 

facilitate the development of additional retail floorspace and an 

enhanced range of shops. 

Development proposals within the primary retail core will be 


currently contained within PPS 5 - Retailing and Town Centres 

and the Plan Proposals. 

The following sites MT 35 – MT 40 are designated as 

Development Opportunity Sites as identified on Map No. 81d 

– Magherafelt Town Centre. 

Designation MT 35 Development Opportunity 

Site 19-21 Broad Street 

A Development Opportunity Site is designated as 

identified on Map No. 81d - Magherafelt Town Centre. 

Key Site Requirement: 

• Development proposals shall include retail use at 

street level. 

This is a vacant site of 0.07 hectare, part of which is situated 

in the primary retail core in a prominent location. It contains a 

substantial hoarding filling a gap in the street frontage scene 

and gives a poor impression of the town centre where recent 

new developments have striven to achieve a higher design 

standard. 

227



Site 1-7 King Street 



Key Site Requirements: 

• Development proposals shall include retail use at 

street level; 

• Development proposals shall be of a similar scale 

and appearance to the adjacent terrace in King 

Street. 

This is a vacant site of 0.04 hectare mostly within the primary 

retail core. It is in a highly visible location at the junction of King 

Street and Church Street where traffic enters the town from the 

east and north. 


Site Land between 45 & 49 

King Street 



Key Site Requirement: 

• Development proposals shall respect the amenity 

of the adjoining dwelling and church properties. 

This is an undeveloped site measuring 0.38 hectare located 

between a bungalow and a church hall and bordering the 

grounds of the First Magherafelt Presbyterian Church and Our 

Lady of the Assumption Church. The site is suitable for a mix of 

residential and commercial uses. The land rises to the south and 

west of the site which may restrict the buildable area. 

228


Site Land at Fair Hill 

A Development Opportunity Site is designated 

as identified on Map No. 81d - Magherafelt Town 

Centre. 

This site measures 0.45 hectare and incorporates an enclosed 

field and Government offices at the junction with Aughrim 

Road. The site is at a significant location on the main approach 

to the town from the east. The long established prefabricated 

office buildings are unattractive and detract from the 

appearance of the street scene. The site is suitable for a range 

of uses including office, institutional and community uses. 


Site Land at rear of Queen 

Street and Market Street 

A Development Opportunity Site is designated 


Centre. 

This site measures 0.75 hectare and incorporates the former 

cinema in Queen Street and several portions of backland 

currently in use as a fuel depot, service yards, car parking and 

vacant land. Vehicular access is available from Queen Street 

and Kirk Avenue with other pedestrian only accesses also 

possible. The area is bounded on its southern side by the rear 

gardens of dwellings along Queen’s Avenue. The site is suitable 

for office, leisure, entertainment, cultural and service uses. 

229



Site, The Market Yard, 

Rainey Street 



This is a historic site on the edge of the town centre that consists 

of mid and late Victorian basalt built 2 and 3-storey buildings 

surrounded by a high basalt wall, all of which are listed as of 

historic and architectural significance. Until recently it operated 

as a livestock market but now remains largely vacant. There 

is a current outline planning approval for a hotel on the site. 

The site is suitable for a farmers market, variety market, or a 

leisure, cultural or community facility. Prospective developers 

are advised to liase with Environment and Heritage Service at an 

early stage. 

Policy for the control of development in development 

opportunity sites is contained in SETT 3 in Part 2 of the Plan. 

The following sites MT 41 – MT 44 are designated as Protected 

Town Centre Housing Areas as identified on Map No. 81d 

– Magherafelt Town Centre. 

Designation MT 41 Protected Town Centre 

Housing Area, Garden 

Street 

A Protected Town Centre Housing Area is designated 


Centre. 

230


Housing Area, King Street 



Centre. 


Housing Area, Meeting 

Street 



Centre. 


Housing Area, Meeting 

Street 



Centre. 

Policy for the control of development in Protected Town Centre 

Housing Areas is contained in Policy HOU 2 in Part 2 of the Plan. 

231

Maghera 

MAGHERA 

Maghera is the second town in Magherafelt District. It is located 

some 10 km north-west of Magherafelt town. It lies to the north 

of the A6 Belfast to Londonderry Road, and is bisected by the 

A29 Coleraine to Cookstown Road. 

The town has its roots in early Christian times. It was the seat 

of the Episcopal Diocese of Ardstra from 597 until 1158. It was 

burned in the rising of 1641, and abandoned for a time under 

an assault from adherents of James II in 1688. In the 19th 

Century, Maghera was described as a market and post town of 

1154 inhabitants and consisted of a main street, some 1⁄2 mile in 

length and three small lanes. Modern development has taken 

place on and between the arterial routes radiating out from the 

town centre. 

Maghera is situated in an elevated position above lower lying 

wetland, on the edge of the River Moyola Floodplain (to the 

south) and the lowland landscape of the Garvagh Farmland (to 

the north). 

The form of the settlement has been influenced significantly by 

the steep slopes falling to the low-lying wet lands to the south, 

where there is a history of flooding. The mature Glebe lands 

contribute considerably to the attractive landscape setting from 

the southern approaches to the town. 


The RDS supports the network of service centres based on main 

towns, small towns and villages in Rural Northern Ireland. 

232

SETTLEMENT 

Designation MA 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 

A settlement development limit is designated as 

identified on Map No. 82a - Maghera. 


of the town’s role as a local service and employment centre 

while protecting its natural setting. 

The opportunity for outward expansion is constrained by a 

number of environmental factors including elevated land to the 

north and the high quality landscape to the south and west. 

The settlement development limit has therefore recognised the 

important contribution of these elements to the setting of the 

town. In addition, the A6 road to the south provides an effective 

limit to development. 

The settlement development limit allows for a choice 

of development opportunities, maximises the use of 

underdeveloped land, and provides a degree of urban 

containment. 

Development in Maghera has extended to the west, north and 

south along the arterial roads. The settlement development 

limit will contain any further urban sprawl in these areas. 

This is particularly important on the Glen Road to prevent the 

coalescence of Maghera with Glen. 

233

Maghera 

HOUSING 

The Plan makes provision for approximately 600 dwellings 

over the Plan period. This will include dwellings built since 31 

December 1998, the yield arising from existing commitments 

and the estimated yield delivered by the housing zonings. 

Further details are contained in the Population and Housing 

Technical Supplement. A total of approximately 21 hectares 

of land is zoned for housing under Allocation HOU 1 in Part 

2 of the Plan. Housing zonings are identified on Map No. 82a 

- Maghera. 

Sites have been selected to allow for the efficient use of 

land within the urban footprint, to provide choice in the 

housing market and to include existing commitments on sites 

where development has occurred since the beginning of the 

Plan period. Other factors influencing site selection include 

accessibility to the town centre and to public transport and the 

aim to minimise detrimental impact upon the environment. 

Land zoned for housing will be developed in accordance with 

prevailing regional planning policy, and with the Plan Proposals 

including key site requirements which may include access 

requirements, infrastructure requirements, public open space 

provision, landscaping, provision for walking and/or cycling and 

other site specific requirements. 

HOUSING ZONINGS 

The following sites MA 02 – MA 09 are zoned for housing as 


234

Zoning MA 02 




on Map No. 82a - Maghera: 

MA 02/01 

MA 02/02 

MA 02/03 

MA 02/04 

MA 02/05 

Tirkane Road (1.05 ha) 

Martinvale Park 

Craigadick Road (0.9 ha) 

Coleraine Road (7.6 ha) 

Glen Road (1.0 ha) 




MA 02/01 Tirkane Road (1.05 hectare) 

Planning permission was granted for 21 dwellings on this site in 

December 2001. To date 16 units have been built. 

MA 02/02 Martinvale Park 

10 dwellings have been built within this development since 

the start of the Plan period. Owing to the scattered location of 

these dwellings within the established housing development it is 

not feasible to portray a boundary encompassing these units. 

MA 02/03 Craigadick Road (0.9 hectare) 

Planning permission for 12 dwellings on this site was granted in 

April 2002. To date 11 units have been built. 

MA 02/04 Coleraine Road (7.6 hectares) 

Planning permission for 149 dwellings on this site was granted 

in July 2001. To date 15 units have been built. 

235

Maghera 

MA 02/05 Glen Road (1.0 hectare) 


site in November 2000. To date 1 dwelling has been built. 

Zoning MA 03 




on Map No. 82a - Maghera: 

MA 03/01 

MA 03/02 

MA 03/03 

MA 03/04 

Fair Hill (1.0 ha) 

Crew Road (1.57 ha) 

Crew Road (2.5 ha) 

Coleraine Road (4.57 ha) 

Committed sites include sites with extant planning permission 

and sites that have not yet been approved but which are at 

a stage in the planning application process where there is a 

reasonable expectation that planning approval will be granted. 

Only those sites with approval or potential for 10 dwellings or 

more have been zoned for housing. 


as future development will be subject to conditions attached 

to planning permissions. In the event that such permissions 

lapse, Planning Service may alter existing conditions or attach 

new conditions to any subsequent approval to take account of 

prevailing regional planning policy and the adopted Plan. 

MA 03/01 

Fair Hill (1.0 hectare) 

Planning permission was granted for 29 dwellings on a 

larger site in April 1996. Six dwellings were built before the 

commencement of the Plan and hence excluded from the 

zoning. The residual area is zoned as a committed site on the 

basis that there is a live approval for 23 units. 

236

MT 03/02 

Crew Road (1.57 hectares) 

Within this site there are 2 current applications for full planning 

permission for 20 units and 6 units. 

MT 03/03 

Crew Road (2.5 hectares) 



MT 03/04 

Coleraine Road (4.57 hectares) 

There is a current full planning application for 103 dwellings on 

this site. 

Zoning MA 04 

Housing Land at Martinvale 

Park, off Station Road 

0.53 Hectare of land at Martinvale Park, off Station 

Road, is zoned for housing as identified on Map No. 

82a - Maghera. 




• The site shall be accessed from Martinvale Park. 

• Dwelling types shall be single or 1.5 storey with 

ridge height not exceeding 6.0 metres. 

• The layout of dwellings shall be designed to 

ensure that dwellings front on to the south-east 

boundary of the site. 

• The design layout shall include dedicated provision 

for cyclists and pedestrians with links to Station 

Road. 

237

Maghera 

Zoning MA 05 

Housing Land at Sycamore 

Drive, off Carricknakielt Road 

1.86 Hectares of land at Sycamore Drive, off 

Carricknakielt Road, are zoned for housing as 





• The site shall be accessed from Sycamore Drive 

and/or the disused rail track bed onto Station 

Road. 

• The sightlines at the junction of Sycamore Drive 

and Carricknakielt Road will require upgrading. 

The developer shall consult with Roads Service 

prior to submission of a planning application. 



Carricknakielt Road and Station Road. 

• The mature trees and vegetation along the disused 

rail bed shall be retained except where removal is 

required to facilitate access. 


the northern and eastern boundaries abutting the 

countryside shall be planted with a a 5-8 metre 

belt of trees of native species. This is intended 

to provide screening for the development and to 

assist integration with the Green Belt. 

238

Zoning MA 06 

Housing 

Land at Glen Road 

1.33 Hectares of land at Glen Road, to the east of 

Glenvale, are zoned for housing as identified on Map 

No. 82a - Maghera. 




• The residential layout is to ensure that dwellings 

do not back onto Glen Road. 

• Existing mature trees within the site and along 

site boundaries are to be retained. 


for cyclists and pedestrians with links to Glen 

Road. 

Zoning MA 07 

Housing 

Land at Tirkane Road 

0.62 Hectare of land at Tirkane Road is zoned for 

housing as identified on Map No. 82a - Maghera. 




• The residential layout is to ensure that dwellings 

do not back onto Tirkane Road. 


for cyclists and pedestrians with links to Tirkane 

Road. 

239

Maghera 

Zoning MA 08 

Housing 

Land at Crew Road 

1.65 Hectares of land at Crew Road are zoned for 






hectare. 

• The site shall be accessed from Crew Road via the 

zoned housing site MA03/02. 

• A right turn lane is required on Moneysharvan 

Road into Crew Road. 


for cyclists and pedestrians with links to Crew 

Road. 

• Contemporaneous with the new development, a 


of indigenous trees and hedgerow species to be 

provided along the southern boundary of the site. 

Zoning MA 09 

Housing 

Land at Sunnyside Drive 

0.46 Hectare of land at Sunnyside Drive is zoned for 



• Housing Development shall be a minimum gross 


240

• Pedestrian and cycle links to Sunnyside Drive, 

Crawfordstown Drive and the open space / 

recreation land to the east of the site.. 


not back onto Sunnyside Drive. 



of indigenous tree and hedgerow species shall be 

provided along the eastern boundary of the site 

abutting the open space area. 

241

Maghera 

INDUSTRY 

Maghera has a number of existing industrial sites including a 14 

unit business park on Station Road, joinery works and bakery on 

Coleraine Road, joinery works and workshops on Glen Road, a 

food factory at Fair Hill, timber frames workshop and builders 

services on Craigadick Road and industrial units on Tobermore 

Road. 

In line with its role as a service and employment centre, 

mainly serving the northern sector of the District, the Plan 

zones an additional 10.85 hectares of land for industry within 

the settlement development limit. All industrial zonings are 

identified on Map No. 82a - Maghera. These lands are in a 

variety of locations to allow for a range of industrial types and 

site choice. 

Applications for planning permission will be determined in 

accordance with prevailing regional planning policy and the key 

site requirements of the Plan. 

INDUSTRIAL ZONINGS 

The following sites MA 10 – MA 12 are zoned for industry as 


Zoning MA 10 

Industry 

Land at Glen Road 

1.53 Hectares of land at Glen Road are zoned for 

industry as identified on Map No. 82a - Maghera. 


• The site is to be used for light industrial use as 

defined in Use Class 4 of the Planning (Use Classes) 

Order (Northern Ireland) 1989 as amended and for 

no other type of industrial use. 

242

• Access shall be via the lane at the north-west 

corner of the site to C552 Glen Road. 

• The above lane will require widening to meet the 

necessary access standards. The developer shall 

consult with Roads Service prior to submission of 

a planning application. 

• Existing trees and vegetation along the north 

and east site boundaries are to be retained and 

supplemented with a 2 metre minimum planted 

buffer to safeguard the amenity of the adjacent 

dwellings. 

Zoning MA 11 

Industry 

Land at Moneysharvan Road 

4.15 Hectares of land at Moneysharvan Road are zoned 

for industry as identified on Map No. 82a - Maghera. 




Order 1989 as amended and for no other type of 

industrial use. 

• The site shall be accessed from Moneysharvan 

Road, in proximity to the dwelling at number 151. 

• A right turn lane is required into the site from 

Moneysharvan Road. This must not compromise 

the existing substandard and the future full 

standard right turn lane into Crew Road from 

Moneysharvan Road. 

• Existing trees and vegetation along site 

boundaries shall be retained. 

243

Maghera 


the western and northern boundaries of the site 

adjoining the open countryside shall be planted 

with an 8 to 10 metre belt of trees of native 

species to assist integration of industrial buildings 

with the Green Belt. 

• Provision of a 2 metre planted buffer along the 

boundaries with existing residential properties 

and along the southern boundary with the zoned 

housing site MA 03 / 04. 

Zoning MA 12 

Industry 

Land at Tobermore Road / 

Craigadick Road 

5.17 Hectares of land at Tobermore Road/Craigadick 

Road are zoned for industry as identified on Map No. 

82a - Maghera. 


• The site can be accessed from Tobermore Road and 

/ or Craigadick Road. 

• If access is taken from Tobermore Road, a right 

turn lane must be provided which does not 

compromise existing access to Maghera High 

School. 

• If access is taken from Craigadick Road, road 

widening is required to provide a carriageway 

width of at least 6 metres. 

• Existing trees and vegetation along the southwest 

boundary of the site shall be retained. 


the existing trees and vegetation on the south- 

244

west boundary shall be supplemented by an 

8 to 10 metre belt of trees of native species. 


development from the A6 and to assist integration 

of industrial buildings with the Green Belt. 

• Provision of a 2 metre planted buffer along the 

north-east boundary to afford protection to the 

amenity of the adjacent dwellings. 


The following major areas of existing industrial land are shown 

for information only on Map No. 82a - Maghera: 

• Coleraine Road 

• Station Road 

• Tobermore Road 

• Glen Road 

245

Maghera 


Maghera is located on the A29, a link corridor within the 

Strategic Road Transport Network. The A29 provides a northsouth 

link between the towns of Coleraine and Newry as well as 

other towns along the route. The town is situated immediately 

to the north of the A6, the strategic route between Belfast and 

Londonderry. 

During the Plan period the Department for Regional 

Development will carry out a Transportation Study which will 

identify a number of Local Transport and Safety schemes for 

implementation within and just outside Maghera which is 

identified within the Rural Area of the Sub Regional Transport 

Plan. These schemes, which will be in line with the DRD Regional 

Transportation Strategy, will further enhance the town through 

better management of traffic, accident reduction, facilities for 

the disabled and improvements to the urban road, cycle and 

footway network. Implementation of identified schemes will be 

subject to the availability of resources within the SRTP. 


The following sites MA 13 and MA 14 are designated as Local 

Landscape Policy Areas as identified on Map No. 82a – Maghera. 


Local Landscape Policy 

Area Craigadick Road 


identified on Map No. 82a - Maghera, and Map No. 82b 

– Local Landscape Policy Areas. 

Those features and areas that contribute to the 

environmental quality, integrity or character of these 

areas are listed on the following page: 

246

• Two large detached houses in substantial mature 

gardens, surrounded by mature vegetation, 

contributing to the character and setting of the 

town; 

• Visually significant mature tree groups planted 

along the boundaries of the sites, contributing to 

the character of the local area; 

• Stream corridor traverses the area, providing an 

important local landscape feature. 



Area South of Maghera 


identified on Map No. 82a - Maghera, Map No. 1 

– Countryside, Map No. 82b – Local Landscape Policy 

Areas. 

Those features and areas that contribute to the 

environmental quality, integrity or character of these 

areas are listed below: 

An area of distinctive landscape comprising the slopes 

to the south of the town and the river floodplain, 

historically used and transformed in various ways. It 

combines farmland with mature designed landscaping. 

• Attractive green slopes and a significant wetland 

landscape characterised by streams and associated 

vegetation define the hilltop setting of the town 

and provide distinctive views from the A6 Road; 

• The grouping, setting and historical physical 

and visual association between the St. Lurach’s 

Churches (a listed building and a scheduled 

monument) and the CofI Rectory (listed) and the 

Presbyterian Meeting House (listed); 

247

Maghera 

• Church of Ireland Rectory, mature designed 

landscape with significant trees and stream 

corridors contributes to the distinctive character 

of the Glebe lands and the quality of the wider 

townscape; 

• Visually significant tree group and planting at 

the junction of Church Street and Mullagh Road 

provide a quality local focus on this main approach 

to the town; 

• Silverhill House is a locally important building. 

Mature trees along its boundaries and particularly 

the treelined avenue to Glen Road contribute to the 

quality of the local landscape, and to the view of 

the town from the A6 road; 

• Roadside trees on Mullagh Road, just north of 

Mullagh Bridge, form a good entrance feature to 

the town from the south; 

• The stream corridor and associated wetlands 

are important as a wildlife corridor and for its 

landscape, wildlife and heritage interest. 



248

Maghera 


Area of Townscape 

Character 

An Area of Townscape Character is designated within 

Maghera as identified on Map No. 82a - Maghera and 

on Map No. 82c – Maghera ATC. 

Key Features of the area which will be taken into 

account when assessing development proposals 


• Large, 2 storey, and detached residential 

properties; 

• Properties situated within large plots; 

• Properties set-back from the road with long front 

garden areas; 

• Properties set within mature gardens; 

• Variety of house types from traditional to modern 

design; 

• Built form is subservient to the mature trees and 

other vegetation; 

• Residential properties in single occupancy use. 

A major part of the ATC’s intrinsic quality is derived from the 

mature vegetation which lines the Glen Road and extends into 

the curtilages of the dwellings. It includes Cherry, Privet and 

Beech hedges, and Cotoneaster and Pieris garden shrubs. The 

retention of existing vegetation will be a prime consideration in 

the assessment of new development proposals. 

250

Maghera 

In addition, the form and scale of existing dwellings in relation 

to their setting, and the size of individual plots, contributes to 

the high amenity value of the ATC, which is enhanced by the 

low density of development. A sensitive approach will therefore 

be required to any new development. The present arrangement 

of buildings will need to be taken into account in considering 

the setting and orientation of any new proposals in order to 

safeguard the amenity of neighbouring properties, and the 

distinctive character and layout of the area. 

Part of the character of this ATC is the juxtaposition of a wide 

range of building style and materials. Wall finishes include 

smooth render, wet dash, brick and timber cladding; roofs are 

gabled or hipped and finished in slate or tiles, with one example 

of a metal cladding. A common design theme however is the 

strong solid to void ratio in the fenestration. The variety allows 

more flexibility in the design of any new building that might 

be acceptable, but design principles must reflect those that are 

established, and new build must harmonise with the group. 

Policy for control of development in Areas of Townscape 

Character is contained on Policy CON 4 in Part 2 of the Plan. 


Magherafelt District Council owns and manages the Leisure 

Centre on Coleraine Road and the associated area of open space 

which comprises playing fields and a playground. 


for information only on Map No. 82a - Maghera: 

• St Patrick’s College playing fields; 

• Maghera High School playing fields. 

252

TOWN CENTRE 

Maghera serves as the main shopping centre for the northern 

portion of the District providing a range of comparison and 

convenience goods and includes 3 supermarkets, furniture 

showrooms and many small-scale independent retailers. The 

main shopping area which includes 3 banks, an hotel and several 

public houses, cafes and offices is located along most of Main St. 

and part of Coleraine Road. 

The town has experienced some recent business expansion 

including Walsh’s Hotel, Victoria House, McKee’s Food 

Processors, a cinema and health centre. There are current 

opportunities for new retail activity within the town centre 

including Main Street where there are a number of vacant and 

under-utilised units which have the potential to be refurbished 

or redeveloped. 

Access to the town is generally good but the increasing volume 

of traffic, particularly heavy goods vehicles, in a north-south 

direction does cause periodic congestion along the narrow 

streets in the heart of the town. There are 5 main car parks 

located at St. Lurach’s Road, Coleraine Road, Main Street, Hall 

Street and Church Street which provide very good access to 

shoppers. 

There are a number of sites including those to the rear of 

existing frontages which may present opportunities for 

development. 

A detailed town centre health check was carried out as part of 

the development plan process to provide a benchmark against 

which to measure the effects of future change in economic 

activity in the town centre. Details of the town centre health 

check are contained in the Commerce Technical Supplement. 

253

Maghera 


Town Centre 

A Town Centre is designated for Maghera as identified 

on Map No. 82a - Maghera and Map No. 82d - 

Maghera Town Centre. 

The town centre is more extensive than that contained in the 

Magherafelt Area Plan 1976-1996. It is designated to reflect 

the expansion of business activity in recent times and includes a 

wide range of commercial and non-commercial uses. It includes 

Main Street, Bank Square, St. Lurach’s Road and small sections of 

Church Street, Hall Street, Coleraine Road, Station Road and Fair 

Hill. 


Primary Retail Core 

A Primary Retail Core is designated within Maghera 

Town Centre as identified on Map No. 82d - Maghera 

Town Centre. 

The purpose in identifying a primary retail core is to allow 

control to be exercised over development inside that area to 

ensure the continuance of a compact and attractive shopping 

environment, offering both choice and convenience. 

The area includes most of Main Street and 2-22 Coleraine Road. 

The majority of shops are located on the south side of Main 

Street and Coleraine Road and each of the 3 main supermarkets 

has adjacent car-parking provision. There are opportunities 

to consolidate retail uses particularly on the northern side of 

Main Street and to lift the visual appearance of the narrow 

streetscene by improving design standards. 

The main concentration of retail floorspace in the town centre 

should continue to be within the primary retail core. 

Development proposals within the Primary Retail Core will be 


currently contained within PPS 5 - Retailing and Town Centres. 

254

Maghera 

The following sites MA 18 – MA 20 are designated as 

Development Opportunity Sites as identified on Map No. 82d 

– Maghera Town Centre. 

Designation MA 18 Development Opportunity 

Site, Land at rear of 102-118 

Main Street 

A Development Opportunity Site on land at the rear 

of 102-118 Main Street is designated as identified on 

Map No. 82d - Maghera Town Centre. 

Key Site Requirement 

• Development shall take account of the residential 

amenity of dwellings sharing the laneway. 

This is a site comprising several parcels of land measuring 

0.18 hectare located behind Main Street frontage properties 

within the primary retail core. It includes some rear garden 

space, rough ground and a vacant dwelling and has both a 

common access laneway at the rear and some direct access onto 

Main Street. The site is suitable for a mixed use development 

including residential and commercial use. 


Site, St Lurach’s Road, 

former Recreation Centre 

A Development Opportunity Site at the former 

recreation centre on St Lurach’s Road is designated as 

identified on Map No. 82d - Maghera Town Centre. 

This site comprises the former recreation centre, all weather 

pitch and adjoining vacant plot fronting the road and measures 

0.31 hectare. It is located adjacent to a public car park and 

within the town centre. The site is suitable for a range of uses 

including residential, office, leisure, entertainment, cultural and 

service uses. 

256


Site, St Lurach’s Road, 

opposite former Recreation 

Centre 

A Development Opportunity Site on St Lurach’s Road 

is designated as identified on Map No. 82d - Maghera 

Town Centre. 

This is a portion of vacant ground at the rear of the Northern 

Bank adjoining the cinema and measuring 0.04 hectare with 

direct access onto St. Lurach’s Road. Development of the site 

would fill a gap which presently exposes the unsightly rear 

elevations of buildings and would improve the streetscene. This 

site is suitable for a range of town centre uses. 

Policy for the control of development in development 

opportunity sites is contained in SETT 3 in Part 2 of the Plan. 

Designation MA 21 Protected Town Centre 

Housing Area 

Martins Terrace 


as identified on Map No. 82d - Maghera Town Centre. 

This is a short terrace of long established housing on the 

edge of the town centre and includes a substantial detached 

residence with mature gardens which are considered worthy of 

retention. 

Policy for the control of development in Protected Town Centre 

Housing Areas is contained in Policy HOU 2 in Part 2 of the Plan. 

257

The Villages 

259

Bellaghy 

BELLAGHY 

Bellaghy is located on the A54 Portglenone to Magherafelt 

Road, 8 km north-east of Magherafelt town and 21⁄2 km west 

of Lough Beg. It is set in a landscape of low rolling hills, and 

wooded parkland at nearby Ballyscullion House. 

The village was founded in 1619 by the ‘Vintners Company’. 

The Company Bawn, now an Historic Monument in State Care, 

stands at the south-west entrance to the village at the head 

of Castle Street. It includes significant remains of the original 

complex and a later house with permanent Seamus Heaney 

exhibits. 

The original village was laid out along Castle Street and 

Mullaghboy Road, and later Main Street and William Street 

were created. Modern development has resulted in expansion of 

the village to the north-west and north-east, mainly in the form 

of housing estates. 

Bellaghy functions as a local service centre with a good range of 

facilities including several places of worship, shops, cafes, library, 

public houses, health centre, GAA Ground and two schools. The 

village has a small industrial base. 

Deignation BY 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 83a - Bellaghy. 


of land with extant planning permission for housing and sites 

that have not yet been approved but which are at a stage in 

the planning application process where there is a reasonable 

expectation that planning approval will be granted. The 

settlement development limit also takes account of the role 

of the settlement whilst protecting its natural setting. The 

settlement development limit excludes the important landscapes 

261

Bellaghy 

to the north-east and south-west of the village, the Wolfe 

Tones Gaelic Athletic Club Ground on the Ballyscullion Road, 

other lands which are not committed to development and Best 

and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land, to prevent further 

ribbon development along the Oldtown Road. The settlement 

development limit also takes account of the setting of Bellaghy 

Bawn and the Church of Ireland Church and prevents ribbon 

development along the Old Town Road. 

262

Housing 

Land designated as Housing Land Use Policy Areas will be 

developed in accordance with prevailing regional planning 

policy and the relevant Plan Proposals including key site 

requirements where specified. 

The following sites BY 02 – BY 09 are designated as Housing 

Land Use Policy Areas as identified on Map No. 83a - Bellaghy. 

Designation BY 02 Housing Land Use Policy 

Area Committed Housing 

Site (Built Site) 

2.0 Hectares of land at Mullaghboy Road are 

designated as a Housing Land Use Policy Area as 



site in October 2000 and all have been built. 


Areas Committed Housing 


The following sites are designated as Housing Land 

Use Policy Areas as identified on Map No. 83a - 

Bellaghy: 

BY 03/1 

BY 03/2 

BY 03/3 

BY 03/4 

BY 03/5 

Mullaghboy Road (1.38 ha) 

Mullaghboy Road (0.9 ha) 

Adjacent to William Court (1.3 ha) 

Castle Street (0.27 ha) 

Gulladuff Road (3.26 ha) 

Committed sites include sites with planning permission and 

sites that have not yet been approved but which are at a stage 

265

Bellaghy 

in the planning application process where there is a reasonable 

expectation that planning approval will be granted. Only those 

sites with approval or potential for 10 dwellings or more are 

designated for housing. 


because future development will be subject to the conditions 

attached to planning permission. However, in the event that 

such permission may lapse, Planning Service may alter existing 

conditions or attach new conditions to any subsequent approval 

to take account of prevailing regional planning policy and the 


BY 03/1 

Mullaghboy Road (1.38 hectares) 

Outline planning permission for housing development on this 

site was granted in September 2003. 

BY 03/2 

Mullaghboy Road (0.9 hectares) 

There is a current outline planning application for housing 

development on this site. 

BY 03/3 Adjacent to William Court (1.3 hectares) 

There is a current planning application for housing on this site. 

BY 03/4 Castle Street (0.27 hectare) 

There is a current planning application for 13 dwellings on this 

site. 

BY 03/5 Gulladuff Road (3.26 hectares) 



266


Area Land between Main 

Street and Springfield Park 

0.51 Hectare of land between Main Street and 

Springfield Park is designated as a Housing Land Use 

Policy Area as identified on Map No. 83a - Bellaghy. 




• The site shall be accessed via Springfield Park. 

• Land will be required to upgrade sightlines at the 

junction of Springfield Park with William Street. 

• All parking displaced from the lay-by at the access 

to the site on Springfield Park is to be replaced 

(additional to that which is required to serve the 

development). 


for cyclists and pedestrians with links to Main 

street / William Street. 


Area Land to south of Nos. 

6-12 Main Street 

0.37 Hectare of land to south of numbers 6-12 Main 

Street is designated as a Housing Land Use Policy Area 

as identified on Map No. 83a - Bellaghy. 

267

Bellaghy 




• Land will be required outside of the site to meet 

the necessary access standards and sight line 

requirements. 



Street/William Street and the recreation areas to 

south of the site. 


Area Land to rear of Nos. 3-9 

William Street 

0.53 Hectare of land to rear of numbers 3-9 William 

Street is designated as a Housing Land Use Policy Area 

as identified on Map No. 83a - Bellaghy. 




• Land will be required outside of the site to meet the 

necessary access standards and sight line requirements. 


for cyclists and pedestrians with links to Main Street/ 

William Street. 

268


Area Land to rear of 

Nos.15-39 William Street 

1.06 Hectares of land to rear of numbers 15-39 William 

Street are designated as a Housing Land Use Policy 

Area as identified on Map No. 83a - Bellaghy. 



site density of 30 dwellings per hectare and a 

maximum gross site density of 35 dwellings per 

hectare. 

• The site shall be accessed from William Court 

in association with the proposed housing 

development on the adjacent site (HPA 2/3). 


for cyclists and pedestrians with links to William 

Court. 

• The existing hedgerow along the southern 

boundary adjacent to the open countryside shall 

be retained and enhanced with a 8-10 metre belt 

of trees of native species to provide screening for 

the development and help integrate it into the 

surrounding countryside. 


Area Land at Hunter Park 

0.23 Hectare of land at Hunter Park is designated as a 

Housing Land Use Policy Area as identified on Map No. 

83a - Bellaghy. 

269

Bellaghy 


• Housing development shall be in the form of 

frontage development onto Hunters Park. 


Area Land at Ballyscullion 

Road 

0.77 Hectare of land at Ballyscullion Road is 






• The site shall be accessed from Ballyscullion Road. 


provision for cyclists and pedestrians linked to 

Ballyscullion Road. 

270

INDUSTRY 

Land designated as Industrial Land Use Policy Areas will be 




Designation BY 10 Industrial Land Use Policy 

Area Land at Deerpark Road 

0.56 Hectare of land at Deerpark Road is designated 

as an Industrial Land Use Policy Area as identified on 

Map No. 83a - Bellaghy. 




Order (Northern Ireland) 1989 as amended or for 

an appropriate alternative mixed business use 

which would not be detrimental to the amenity of 

nearby residential properties. 

• The developer shall consult with Roads Service 

regarding the possible need for provision of a 

right turn lane into the industrial estate from 

Deerpark Road. 

• The trees and vegetation along the northern 

boundary of the site shall be retained in the 

interests of amenity and as a landscape buffer to 

assist integration of industrial development in the 

surrounding countryside and afford protection to 


• The northern and western boundaries of the site 

are to be planted with a 5-8 metre belt of trees 

of native species to provide screening for the 

271

Bellaghy 


development, to assist integration of industrial 

development in the surrounding countryside 

and to afford protection to the adjacent Local 

Landscape Policy Area. 

The following area of existing industrial land is shown for 

information only on Map No. 83a - Bellaghy: 

• Deer Park Road. 

272


The following sites BY 11 and BY 12 are designated as Local 

Landscape Policy Areas as identified on Map No. 83a- Bellaghy 

Designation BY 11 Local Landscape Policy 

Area Bellaghy Bawn and 

Cavehill 


identified on Map No. 83a - Bellaghy, Map No. 1 – 






• Bellaghy Bawn (listed building and Monument in 

State Care), and Church of Ireland Church (listed), 

including their settings, are landmark buildings 

which form an historical group and are part of 

the original planned village. There are significant 

views to, from and between these features and the 

village. 

• Visually significant mature trees and hedges 

around Bellaghy Bawn contributes to the setting 

of the Bawn, Church and the village. They create an 

attractive entrance on roads from the south; 

• Land to the west of the Gulladuff Road is part of 

Bellaghy Bawn, which was strategically located to 

take advantage of the terrain; 

• Cavehill is a raised local landform, with trees on 

and adjacent to it, and also a site of archaeological 

interest. The hill and trees contribute to the setting 

of the village, especially when viewed from the 

Gulladuff Road; 

• Wetland area south-west of Cavehill and stream 

corridor bisecting the LLPA both provide local 

nature conservation interest; 

273

Bellaghy 

Designation BY 12 Local Landscape Policy 

Area Ballynease Road 


identified on Map No. 83a - Bellaghy, Map No. 1 – 






• Listed RC Chapel, a landmark building, with its 

setting and views; 

• Listed Rectory, in designed grounds, with its 

settings and views; 

• Visually significant landscape with mature trees 

around the Rectory contributes to the setting of 

the Rectory and the village. 



274

Castledawson 

CASTLEDAWSON 

Castledawson is located beside the main A6 Belfast to 

Londonderry Road, approximately 4km north-east of 

Magherafelt town. It is set in a landscape of low rolling hills and 

flat meadowlands, south of the Moyola River and the mature 

woodland and parkland of Moyola Park estate, which contribute 

much to the character and setting of the village. 

‘Lewis’s Loughinsholin (1837)’ states that “Castledawson, or 

Dawson’s Bridge, appears to have assumed its present form and 

name in the year 1710. It consists of two principal and some 

smaller streets.” It further developed along Main Street, then 

expanded to the south, away from the river and estate lands. 

Modern development has resulted in the village expanding 

further southwards, where it is now contained by the A6 road. 

Castledawson is a service centre with a wide range of facilities 

including several places of worship, community halls, variety of 

shops, garage and golf course. The village has a strong industrial 

base including a furniture factory, timber yard and engineering 

works. 

Designation CN 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 84a - Castledawson. 


of land with extant planning permission for housing and sites 

that have not yet been approved but which are at a stage in 

the planning application process where there is a reasonable 

expectation that planning approval will be granted. The 

settlement development limit also takes account of the role 

of the settlement whilst protecting its natural setting. The 

settlement development limit excludes the important landscapes 

to the west, north and east of the village, lands to the southeast, 

between the Bells Hill Road and the Moyola River, that 

276

Housing 

are subject to flooding, lands to the west of Annaghmore Road 

that are visually prominent, Best and Most Versatile (BMV) 

agricultural land, and other lands which are not committed to 

development. 





The following sites CN 02 - CN 05 are designated as Housing 

Land Use Policy Areas as identified on Map No. 84a - 

Castledawson. 

Designation CN 02 Housing Land Use Policy 





Castledawson: 

CN 02/1 

CN 02/2 

Oak Grove, off Annaghmore Road 

Castle Oak, off Annaghmore Road 




CN 02/1 Oak Grove, off Annaghmore Road 


since the start of the Plan period, with capacity for a further 

4 approved units. Owing to the scattered location of these 

dwellings within the established housing development it is not 

feasible to portray a boundary encompassing these units. 

277

Castledawson 

CN 02/ 2 Castle Oak, off Annaghmore Road 





encompassing these units. The development is now completed. 






Castledawson: 

CN 03/1 

CN 03/2 

Moyola Road (3.65 ha) 

Castle Oak, Annaghmore Road (0.55 ha) 








because future development will be subject to the conditions 

attached to relevant planning permissions. In the event that 

such permissions lapse, Planning Service may alter existing 




CN 03/1 Moyola Road (3.65 hectares) 

Full planning permission for the development of 75 dwellings 

on this site was granted in June 2003. 

278

CN 03/2 Castle Oak, Annaghmore Road (0.55 hectare) 




Area Land between Main 

Street and Moyola Gardens 

0.3 Hectare of land between Main Street and Moyola 

Gardens is designated as a Housing Land Use Policy 

Area as identified on Map No. 84a - Castledawson. 




• The site must be accessed from Moyola Gardens 

which will require to be widened to 4.8 metres 

with provision of two 1.8 metre wide footways. 



Street. 

• The mature trees along the western boundary 

of the site shall be retained in the interests of 

amenity and as a landscape buffer along the 

boundary with existing commercial premises to 

afford protection to the amenity of the proposed 

dwellings. 

281

Castledawson 


Area Lands to the south of 

former railway line and to 

the west of Bells Hill Road 

4.05 Hectares of land to the south of former Railway 

Line and to the west of Bells Hill Road are designated 

as a Housing Land Use Policy Area as identified on 

Map No. 84a - Castledawson. 




• Housing development onto Bells Hill Road shall be 

single storey frontage development respecting the 

building line of existing frontage dwellings. 

• The site shall be accessed from Bells Hill Road. 

A second access can be taken from Annaghmore 

Road. 

• A right turn lane is required on Bells Hill Road. 


for cyclists and pedestrians with links to Bells Hill 

Road. 

• Mature trees within the site shall be retained. 


onto Bells Hill Road. 

282

INDUSTRY 





Designation CN 06 Industrial Land Use Policy 

Area Land to rear of 

existing industry at Bells 

Hill Road 

0.84 Hectare of land to the rear of existing industry 

at Bells Hill Road is designated as an Industrial 

Land Use Policy Area as identified on Map No. 84a - 

Castledawson. 




Order (Northern Ireland) 1989 as amended and no 

other type of industrial use; 

• The site shall be accessed via the existing 

industrial access on Bells Hill Road. 


the eastern boundary of the site adjacent to the 

Moyola River is to be planted with a 5-8 metre belt 

of trees of native species to provide screening for 

the development and to afford protection for the 

visual amenity and character of the river corridor 

(refer to Designation CN 09). 

283

Castledawson 


The following areas of existing industrial land are shown for 

information only on Map No. 84a - Castledawson: 

• Curran Road 

• Moyola Road 

• Bells Hill Road. 

284


The following sites CN 07 – CN 10 are designated as Local 

Landscape Policy Areas as identified on Map No. 84a – 

Castledawson. 

Designation CN 07 Local Landscape Policy 

Area North and West of 

Castledawson 


identified on Map No. 84a - Castledawson, Map No. 

1 – Countryside and Map No. 84b – Local Landscape 

Policy Areas. 




• Tamnadeese Rath/tree ring; an archaeological site 

on a local hill, tree-planted as part of 18th or early 

19th century landscape enhancement, visible in the 

wider landscape and contributing to the setting of 

the village; 

• 2 stands of mature trees on the Tamnadeese Road 

adjacent to Loughinsholin Park are important 

landscape and visual features, visible in the wider 

landscape. They form a good entrance feature to 

the village from the west along the Tamnadeese 

Road. 

• Moyola Park is a planned landscape of special 

historic interest, providing a designed setting and 

views associated with listed buildings, bridge, and 

including a number of archaeological sites; 

285

Castledawson 

• Visually significant densely wooded planned 

landscape within Moyola Park, at the northern edge 

of the village, with its contribution to the setting 

of the village and closing the village to the north; 

• Wider planned landscape within Moyola Park, 

including estate planting and parkland, and its 

contribution to the setting of the village and nature 

conservation interest; 

• Moyola River provides an important wildlife 

corridor and landscape feature through the village; 

• Roadside tree planting along the boundary of 

the golf course on the Curran Road forms a good 

entrance feature to the village from the north-west. 

• Back lands of properties between Main Street and 

the Moyola River contribute to, and benefit from, 

the character of the river corridor; 

• Listed thatched cottage and adjacent Listed river 

bridge in Bridge Street; 

• Listed Presbyterian Meeting House, and adjacent 

Manse with its mature treed gardens, on Main 

Street. These form a good entrance feature to the 

village centre and a good focal point at the junction 

with the Magherafelt road. 

This large LLPA comprises a series of areas which are both 

distinctive and inter-related, because of their land-use history: 

Tamnadeese rath/tree ring; the golf course; the parkland and 

agricultural fields north and south of the golf course; the River 

Moyola and its environs and a number of listed and locally 

important historic buildings in various surroundings. Much of 

the LLPA is designated as a Historic Park, Garden and Demesne 

under Designation COU 9 in Part 3 of the Plan. 

286

Castledawson 


Area Station Road 


identified on Map No. 84a - Castledawson and Map No. 

84b – Local Landscape Policy Areas. 




• Listed Methodist Church and adjacent Listed 

Rectory, including their settings and views; 

• Visually significant formal planting within the 

Rectory grounds. The designed setting of the house 

is a distinctive feature within the village; 

• Raised localised landform, visible along Station 

Road and Annaghmore Road, contributes to the 

setting of the village. 


Area Brough Road 








• Mature trees - northern boundary planting of 

Moyola Lodge, are visually significant in the local 

landscape and a valuable townscape feature, 

288

especially seen from Moyola Road and Brough Road 

(north); 


corridor and landscape feature; 

• Large detached residences set in spacious and 

mature landscaped sites contribute to the character 

of this area, and are a valuable townscape feature; 

• Listed Moyola Lodge, including its setting and 

views. 


Area Moyola Road 








• Warren Lodge is a locally important building with 

associated outbuildings and garden. It is set on 

rising landform and is prominent in the local 

landscape. The house and landform contribute to 

the setting of the village, especially when viewed 

from Castledawson; 

• Mature trees along the north-eastern boundary 

are visually significant in the local landscape and 

a valuable landscape feature, especially when 

viewed from Castledawson. 



289

Castledawson 



for information only on Map No. 84a -Castledawson: 

• Magherafelt Road 

• Park View. 

290

Draperstown 

DRAPERSTOWN 

Draperstown is located 12 km. north-west of Magherafelt town 

and is set within gently undulating farmland in the Upper 

Moyola Valley, at the foot of the Sperrin Mountains which 

provide an impressive backdrop to the west. 

Draperstown is an example of a ‘green’ village. Originally the 

buildings were laid out in a triangular village green, the Fair Hill 

and along three streets. Later the green became The Shambles, 

and this, together with the open space of the Fair Hill, and 

the wide crossroads at the head of St. Patrick’s St. provides a 

distinctive townscape and historic settlement form. 

The buildings are located in accordance with a clearly defined 

and well established building line. The triangular feature known 

as The Shambles together with the wide crossroads creates a 

distinctive settlement pattern. 

Early development took the form of terraces of residential and 

commercial properties along High Street and St. Patrick’s Street. 

More recent development has spread out along the radial roads 

in the form of single dwellings and small housing estates. 

Key buildings within the village include: St.Columba’s Church, 

Tobermore Road (1888); the Courthouse, 20 High Street (1839); 

and the Presbyterian Meeting House, 47 High Street (1843). 

These three ‘Listed’ buildings help frame the village green/cross 

area from the south-west; St.Patrick’s Street and Sixtowns Road. 

The core of the village was designated a Conservation Area 

in 1979, the boundary of which is shown on the Draperstown 

Settlement Map. Detailed guidance on development within the 

conservation area is provided in the Draperstown Conservation 

Area Design Guide booklet. 

Draperstown is a local service centre containing a variety of 

shops and offices, several places of worship, public houses, a 

visitors centre, livestock market and two schools. The village has 

a very strong industrial base including industrial estates on the 

Cahore Road, Tobermore Road (46 unit Business Centre), and 

Magherafelt Road. 

291

Draperstown 

Designation DN 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map 85a - Draperstown. 

The settlement development limit is designated to take 

account of land with extant planning permission for housing 




The settlement development limit also takes account of the 

role of the settlement whilst protecting its natural setting. 

The Settlement Development Limit excludes the important 

landscapes to the north of the village, and south of the 

Presbyterian Meeting House, the stream corridor, linear park 

and visually associated land, between Moykeeran Gardens, to 

the east and Derrynoyd Road, to the west, and Best and Most 

Versatile (BMV) agricultural land. The settlement development 

limit also prevents ribbon development on the Derrynoyd Road 

around Woodbine Cottage. 

292

Housing 





The following sites DN 02 – DN 09 are designated as Housing 

Land Use Policy Areas as identified on Map No. 85a - 

Draperstown. 

Designation DN 02 Housing Land Use Policy 




Use Policy Areas as identified on Map No. - 85a - 

Draperstown: 

DN 02/1 

DN 02/2 

DN 02/3 

Tobermore Road (3.7 ha) 

Cordarragh, off Tobermore Road 

Derrynoyd Road (2.0 ha) 




DN 02/1 Tobermore Road (3.7 hectares) 

59 dwellings have been built on this site since the start of the 

Plan period with capacity for a further 5 approved units. 

DN 02/2 Cordarragh, off Tobermore Road 





encompassing these units. 

295

Draperstown 

DN 02/3 Derrynoyd Road (2.0 hectares) 

Full planning permission for 25 dwellings was granted in March 

2001. To date 15 dwellings have been built. 






Draperstown: 

DN 03/1 

DN 03/2 

DN 03/3 

Sixtowns Road (7.56 ha) 

Magherafelt Road (1.57 ha) 

North of Moykeeran Crescent (0.56 ha) 







The Plan does not stipulate key design requirements for these 

sites as future development will be subject to the conditions 

attached to relevant planning permissions. In the event that 

such permissions lapse, Planning Service may alter existing 




DN 03/1 Sixtowns Road (7.56 hectares) 

Outline planning permission for housing development on this 

site was granted in June 2001. An application for full planning 

permission for housing development within the eastern portion 

of the site is currently being processed. 

296

DN 03/2 Magherafelt Road (1.57 hectares) 

There is a current planning application for housing development 

on this site. 

DN 03/3 North of Moykeeran Crescent (0.56 hectare) 

Full planning permission for 10 dwellings on this site was 

granted in December 1999. 


Area Lands to south of 

Derrynoyd Road 

2.26 Hectares of land to the south of Derrynoyd Road 

are designated as a Housing Land Use Policy Area as 

identified on Map No. 85a - Draperstown. 





hectare. 



Derrynoyd Road. 


along the eastern boundary adjoining the livestock 

mart to safeguard the amenity of the proposed 

dwellings. 

• Open space is to be provided in the eastern 

portion of the site to offset the loss of the existing 

open space along the Derrynoyd Road frontage 

and to provide a buffer between the housing and 

the livestock market. 

297

Draperstown 


Area Land to rear of 45 

Magherafelt Road 

0.43 Hectare of land to the rear of 45 Magherafelt 

Road is designated as a Housing Land Use Policy Area 

as identified on Map No. 85a - Draperstown. 




• Land will be required outside of the site boundary, 

along the Magherafelt road frontage, in order to 

meet sight line requirements. 

• Access to the properties on either side of the site 

access must be relocated off the development 

road. 



Magherafelt Road. 

• The line of mature trees along the western 

boundary of the site is to be retained and no 

housing development is to take place within the 

crown-spread of these trees. 

298


Area Land to west of 

Glenshane Park and south 

of Bradley Park 

0.58 Hectare of land to the west of Glenshane Park 

and south of Bradley Park is designated as a Housing 

Land Use Policy Area as identified on Map No. 85a - 

Draperstown. 





a 5 metre planted landscape belt consisting of 

indigenous tree and hedgerow species to be 

provided along the southern boundary to ensure 

a well defined edge to development and to 

assist the integration of buildings with the open 

countryside. 

• Retention of the existing vegetation alongside the 

lane which defines the western boundary of the 

site. 



Glenshane Park. 

299

Draperstown 


Area Land at Back Lane to 

rear of High Street 

0.46 Hectare of land at Back Lane to rear of High Street 

is designated as a Housing Land Use Policy Area as 



• Housing development shall be in the form of a 

single 2 storey terrace fronting onto Back Lane. 

• A public footpath to be provided along the site 

frontage linking to Tobermore Road. 

• The building line of the terrace shall be defined by 

the inside edge of the new footpath. 

• Access and car parking shall be provided to the 

rear of the dwellings. 

• The design, finishes and materials of the proposed 

dwellings shall be appropriate to the site’s 

location within a designated Conservation Area 

and full account shall be taken of the design 

guidance contained within the Draperstown 

Conservation Area Design Guide. 

• Mature trees and vegetation along the northern 

and eastern boundaries shall be retained. 


along the southern boundary to protect the 

amenity of the proposed dwellings from the 

adjoining commercial use. 

300


Area Land to west of 

Cordarragh 

0.6 Hectare of land west of Cordarragh is designated 


Map No. 85a - Draperstown. 




• Access shall be via the existing housing 

development to the east of the site at Cordarragh. 


5 to 8 metre planted landscape belt consisting of 

indigenous tree and hedgerow species shall be 

provided along the northern and western boundaries 

to provide screening, to assist the integration of 

buildings with the open countryside and to recognise 



Area Land at Tobermore 

Road 

0.48 Hectare of land at Tobermore Road is designated 


Map No. 85a - Draperstown. 





not back onto Tobermore Road. 

301

Draperstown 

INDUSTRY 





The following sites DN 10 and DN 11 are designated as 

Industrial Land Use Policy Areas as identified on Map No. 85a 

– Draperstown. 

Designation DN 10 Industrial Land Use Policy 

Area Land at Magherafelt 

Road 

1.2 Hectares of land at Magherafelt Road are 

designated as an Industrial Land Use Policy Area as 







• The developer shall consult with Roads Service 

regarding the possible need to provide a right turn 

land into the site from Magherafelt Road. 


the existing vegetation along the southern 

boundary of the site shall be supplemented by an 

8 to 10 metre planted landscape belt consisting 

of indigenous tree and hedgerow species to 

assist integration of new buildings with the open 

countryside. 

302

• Retention of existing vegetation along the 

western boundary and enhancement by provision 

of a 2 metre minimum planted buffer to afford 

protection of the amenity of the adjacent 

dwellings. 

Designation DN 11 Industrial Land Use Policy 

Area Land to the east of 

Cahore Road 

0.83 Hectare of land to the east of Cahore Road is 








• The site shall be accessed from Cahore Road via 

Cahore Terrace. 

• Road widening may be required outside the 

boundary of this site in order to achieve adequate 

access. The developer is advised to consult with 

Roads Service on this issue. 


a 5-8 metre planted landscape belt consisting 

of indigenous tree and hedgerow species to 

be provided along the eastern boundary to 

provide screening for the development, to assist 

integration of industrial development in the 

surrounding countryside and to recognise the 

adjacent Local Landscape Policy Area. 

303

Draperstown 


along the southern boundary to afford protection 

of the amenity of the adjacent dwelling. 


The following major areas of existing industrial land are shown 

for information only on Map No. 85a - Draperstown: 

• Magherafelt Road 

• Tobermore Road 

• St Patrick’s Street/Cahore Road. 

304


The following sites DN 12 and DN 13 are designated as 

Local Landscape Policy Areas as identified on Map No. 85a 

– Draperstown. 

Designation DN 12 Local Landscape Policy 

Area Moyola River Corridor 


identified on Map No. 85a - Draperstown, Map No. 1 

- Countryside Map No. 85b – Local Landscape Policy 






corridor and landscape feature; 

• Significant tree groups at the Derrynoyd Road form 

a good entrance feature to the village from the 

north-west and enhance the setting of the village; 

• Listed river bridge on the Derrynoyd Road, 

including its setting and views; 

• Listed St. Columba’s (C of I) Church and surrounding 

landscaped grounds, including a band of mature 

trees along its northern boundary, and its setting 

and views; 

• The Fair Green with its historic and townscape 

contribution; 

• Stream corridor and associated public amenity 

parkland with its recreational, landscape, 

vegetation and wildlife value. This provides an 

important linkage from the town centre into the 

countryside. 

305

Draperstown 

Designation DN 13 Local Landscape Policy 

Area Lands including and 

to rear of Presbyterian 

Meeting House 


identified on Map No. 85a - Draperstown, Map No. 






• Listed Presbyterian Meeting House, its setting and 

views; 

• Area adjoins the only part of the historic boundary 

of the settlement that survives as a development 

limit; 

• Views out of the Conservation Area show original 

relationship of buildings and countryside beyond. 



306

Tobermore 

TOBERMORE 

Tobermore is located on the main A29 Coleraine to Cookstown 

Road, 10km north-west of Magherafelt town. It is set in a 

natural hollow, along the base of a slope (Calmore Hill & Castle 

Hill) just above the flood plain of the Moyola River. 

The village is a linear settlement that grew up along a 

country road, that became Main Street, originally between 

the Lisnamuck, Maghera, Magherafelt and Desertmartin road 

junctions. As the village grew, it extended westwards towards 

Kilcronaghan Parish Church, and then along main roads to the 

north and south. 

Main Street is in part characterised by the variety and lay-out of 

its built form and associated irregular spaces, with consequent 

informality to the street frontage. This is emphasised by the lack 

of a strong building line. Several small housing estates either 

punctuate or nestle behind the Main Street. 

Kilcronaghan Parish Church provides a focus at the western 

end of the steeply rising Main Street. The approach from 

Draperstown is dominated by a natural avenue of mature 

trees. Fortwilliam, a substantial house in a designed setting, 

which includes a tree-planted Rath, occupies a local hill and is 

a particularly distinctive feature outside the village, seen by 

travelers approaching and leaving the village by the Maghera 

Road. 

Tobermore is a local service centre, and includes several places 

of worship, community halls, 2 supermarkets and a Primary 

school. The village has an industrial base with assets including 

concrete product manufacturers, engineering works and 

purpose-built workshop units provided under the auspices of 

the Community Regeneration Initiatives Special Programme. 

The concrete product works on Lisnamuck Road and haulage 

depot at the western end of Main Street have an adverse affect 

on views in and around the village. 

308

Designation TE 01 

Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 86a - Tobermore. 

The settlement development limit is designated to take 

account of land with extant planning permission for housing 




The settlement development limit also takes account of the 

role of the settlement whilst protecting its natural setting. 

The settlement development limit excludes the important 

landscapes to the north and north-east, and west of the 

village, prominent lands to the south-west of the village, lands 

between the Clooney and Maghera Roads that are subject to 

flooding, lands on the Clooney and Magherafelt Roads where 

development would result in urban sprawl, other lands which 

are not committed to development, and Best and Most Versatile 

(BMV) agricultural land. The settlement development limit also 

takes account of the need to restrict ribbon development on the 

Desertmartin Road. 

309

Tobermore 

Housing 





The following sites TE 02 – TE 06 are designated as Housing 

Land Use Policy Areas as identified on Map No. 86a – Tobermore. 







Tobermore: 

TE 02/1 

TE 02/2 

TE 02/3 

Maghera Road (1.0 ha) 

Hazel Grove, off Calmore Road (1.25 ha) 

Calmore Road (3.0 ha) 




TE 02/1 Maghera Road (1.0 hectare) 


Plan period with capacity for a further 3 approved units. 

TE 02/2 Hazel Grove, off Calmore Road (1.25 hectares) 


Plan period. The development is now complete. 

TE 02/3 Calmore Road (3.0 hectares) 

310 

Full planning permission for housing development on this site 

was granted in June 1998. Since the start of the Plan period 

31 dwellings have been built with capacity for a further 15 

approved units.



Area Committed Housing 

Site (Approved Site) 

0.58 Hectare of land at Desertmartin Road is 







sites with approval or potential for 10 or more dwellings are 


The Plan does not stipulate key design requirements for these 

sites as future development will be subject to the conditions 

attached to planning permission. In the event that such 

permissions lapse, Planning Service may alter existing conditions 

or attach new conditions to any subsequent approval to take 

account of prevailing regional planning policy and the Plan 

Proposals. 





Area Land at Nos. 62-66 

Main Street 

0.26 Hectare of land at numbers 62-66 Main Street 

is designated as a Housing Land Use Policy Area as 

identified on Map No. 86a- Tobermore. 

313

Tobermore 





not back onto Main Street. 

• The design layout shall include provision for 

cyclists and pedestrians with links to Main Street. 


Housing Land Use 

Policy Area Land between 

Lisnamuck Road and 

Maghera Road 

1.64 Hectares of land between Lisnamuck Road and 

Maghera Road are designated as a Housing Land Use 

Policy Area as identified on Map No. 86a - Tobermore. 





hectare. 

• The site shall be accessed Fort William Road. 

• Fort William Road shall be widened to 6.0 metres 

between the site access and the junction with 

Maghera Road. 

• A footpath shall be provided to link with the 

existing footpath network. 

• A right turn lane is required on Maghera Road into 

Fort William Road. 

314

• The design layout shall include provision for 

cyclists and pedestrians with links to Fort William 

Road and Lisnamuck Road. 

• The design layout shall make provision for a built 

frontage to Fort William Road. 


an 8 to 10 metre wide planted landscape belt 

consisting of indigenous tree and hedgerow 

species shall be planted along the northern 

boundary of the site to assist integration of 

development with the surrounding countryside 

and to recognise the adjacent Local Landscape 

Policy Area. 


an 8 to 10 metre wide planted landscape belt 

consisting of closely spaced evergreen trees shall 

be planted along the western boundary of the site 

to reduce the impact of potential nuisance which 

may arise from the operations of existing and 

proposed industrial uses on the opposite side of 

Lisnamuck Road. 

• Open space provision to be located in the western 

portion of the site to maximize separation 

distance between the new housing and existing 

and proposed industrial land uses on the opposite 

side of Lisnamuck Road. 



Area Land at Hillmount 

Crescent 

0.35 Hectare of land at Hillmount Crescent is 



315

Tobermore 

INDUSTRY 





5 metre wide planted landscape belt consisting 

of indigenous tree and hedgerow species shall be 

planted along the southern boundary of the site 

to provide screening and to assist integration of 

development with the surrounding countryside. 






Industrial Land Use Policy 

Area Land at Lisnamuck 

Road 

2.12 Hectares of land at Lisnamuck Road are 






Order (Northern Ireland) 1989 as amended or for 

an appropriate alternative mixed business use 

which would not be detrimental to the amenity of 

nearby residential properties. 

• The site shall be accessed from Lisnamuck Road. 

316

• Provision of a solid wall or appropriate fencing 

along the boundaries with adjacent properties 

on Main Street and Lisnamuck Road, in line 

with Departmental guidance, in order to afford 

protection to the amenity of these properties. 

This site is used for the open storage of used tyres and appears 

to be under utilised. It is considered that the site is unlikely to 

be suitable for housing development due to its proximity to the 

cement works. 


The following major area of existing industrial land is shown 

for information only on Map No. 86a - Tobermore: 

• Lisnamuck Road/Main Street. 

317

Tobermore 


The following sites TE 08 and TE 09 are designated as 

Local Landscape Policy Areas as identified on Map No. 86a 

– Tobermore. 



Area Draperstown Road/ 

Wood Road 


identified on Map No. 86a - Tobermore, Map No. 1 – 






• Listed Kilcronaghan Parish Church and graveyard 

on the rising landform on the edge of village, 

including its setting and views; 

• Trees located on the ridge at Wood Road are an 

important visual feature contributing to the setting 

of the village, viewed from the village and from the 

Draperstown Road; 

• Rising landform to Kilcronaghan Church from the 

Draperstown Road, contributing to the setting 

of the village. These are important views and are 

particularly sensitive to change; 

• Significant tree groups at the Draperstown Road 

entrance to the village. They form a good entrance 

feature from the west and contribute to the setting 

of the village. 

318

Tobermore 



Area Lisnamuck Road/ 

Clooney Road 


identified on Map No. 86a - Tobermore, Map No. 1 – 






• Fort William, a Listed House, beside a hill-top 

rath on a local hill, and in designed grounds with 

mature planting, including its setting and views; 

• Hilltop rath, an historic monument, beside 

Fortwilliam House and within its designed setting. 

Visible, as a distinctive landmark, in the wider 

landscape, its prominence is enhanced by tree 

planting. Views of the rath from the Lisnamuck 

Road to the west and Magherafelt Road to the 

south are particularly impressive. The slopes of the 

hill are particularly sensitive to any change; 

• Low lying wetland and associated vegetation, to 

the south and off the Maghera Road opposite Fort 

William, and originally part of the designed setting 

of the house, contributes to the setting of the 

village and has nature conservation value; 

• Several stream corridors traverse the area, 

providing an important local landscape feature, 

and act as wildlife corridors; 

320

• Significant tree groups at the Clooney Road 

entrance to the village. They form a good entrance 

feature from the east and contribute to the setting 

of the village; 

• The Manse on the Magherafelt Road is a locally 

important building, set within substantial treeplanted 

grounds, contributing to the character and 

setting of the village. 




The following major area of existing open space is identified for 

information only on Map No. 86a - Tobermore: 

• Recreation Grounds, Desertmartin Road. 

321

Small Settlements 

323

Ballymaguigan 

BALLYMAGUIGAN 

Designation BN 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 87 - Ballymaguigan. 

The settlement development limit is designated around three 

existing clusters of development to facilitate a compact form 

while allowing for sufficient development opportunities 

commensurate with the scale, character and role of the 

settlement. 

324

Ballynease 

BALLYNEASE 

Designation BE 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 88 - Ballynease. 

The settlement development limit is designated around three 




settlement. 

326

Clady 

CLADY 

Designation CY 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 89a - Clady. 

The settlement development limit is designated to provide 

development opportunities in line with the scale, character and 

role of this linear settlement, while preventing ribboning and 

encroachment into the surrounding countryside. It excludes 

lands of high environmental quality and wildlife value, and 

historically and archaeologically important features of the manmade 

landscape along the Clady River and its environs. 

Designation CY 02 Local Landscape Policy 



identified in Map No. 1 - Countryside, Map No. 89a - 

Clady and Map No. 89b – Local Landscape Policy Areas. 



character of this area are listed below: 

• Clady River corridor and associated vegetation is 

an important landscape feature, including visually 

significant treed banks adjacent to Glenburn House, 

and acts as a wildlife corridor; 

• Glenburn House is a substantial residence 

surrounded by mature planting and forms part of 

the mill complex. It is of local historical significance 

and is an important feature in the local landscape 

and river corridor; 

328

Clady 

• The remains of the mill complex (mill buildings, 

mill race, weir and bleach green) beside Glenburn 

House represent the local industrial heritage; 

• Rising local landform at Collas Hill forms a good 

backdrop to the settlement, is visible in the wider 

landscape and contributes to the setting of the 

settlement; 

• Listed Glenone Bridge on the Kilrea Road, including 

its setting and views. 



330

Creagh 

CREAGH 

Designation CH 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 90a - Creagh. 




encroachment into the surrounding countryside, and excluding 

lands of high environmental quality and wildlife value along the 

Moyola River. 

The settlement as designated is associated with the former 

airfield site, which is primarily in industrial and agricultural use. 

This area is considered in Part 3 of the Plan. 

332

Creagh 

Designation CH 02 Local Landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 1 - Countryside, Map No. 90a 

– Creagh and Map No. 90b – Local Landscape Policy 




character of the area are listed below: 

• Visually significant mature tree belt at the junction 

of the Creagh and Blackpark Roads, with its 

contribution to the setting of the settlement and 

nature conservation value; 

• Listed bridge over the Moyola River at Aughrim 

Road, including its setting and views; 

• Moyola River corridor and associated vegetation 

is an important landscape feature, and acts as a 

wildlife corridor. 



334

Culnady 

CULNADY 

Designation CD 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 91a - Culnady. 


development opportunities in line with the scale, character 

and role of the settlement, while preventing ribboning and 



Grillagh River. 

Designation CD 02 Local Landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 91a - Culnady, Map No. 1 – 






• Culnady Presbyterian Meeting House (and 

graveyard), a visually and historically important 

building contributing to the character of the 

settlement; 

• Visually important tree group at the primary 

school, beside the Presbyterian Meeting House; a 

good entrance/exit feature from the west. 

336

Culnady 

Designation CD 03 Local Landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 91a - Culnady, Map No. 1 – 






• Grillagh River corridor and associated mill race/ 

stream are important landscape features, including 

visually significant treed banks. They also act as 

wildlife corridors. 

• The old mill buildings, mill race and weir represent 

the local industrial heritage, based on the river. 



338

Curran 

CURRAN 

Designation CU 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 92a - Curran. 


development opportunities in line with the scale, character 

and role of the settlement, while preventing ribboning and 


surrounding lands of high environmental quality and wildlife 

value. 

340

Curran 

Designation CU 02 Local Landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 92a – Curran, Map No. 1 – 






• Bivallate Rath on hill summit north of the A6, is a 

local landmark. The hill is a distinctive element in 

the setting of the settlement; 

• Hills rising gently from the settlement north-east 

and south serve to contain it, and contribute to an 

attractive setting; 

• River and stream corridors, and associated flood 

plain and flood embankments, characterise the 

setting to the north, north-west and south west 

and provide nature conservation interest; 

• The old mill pond represents local industrial 

heritage; 

• Listed bridge over the Moyola River, including its 

setting and views, is a feature of the northern 

approach to the settlement. 



342

Desertmartin 

DESERTMARTIN 

Designation DE 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 93a - Desertmartin. 


development opportunities in line with the scale, character and role 

of the settlement, while preventing ribboning and encroachment 

into the surrounding countryside. It excludes surrounding lands of 

high environmental quality and wildlife value. 

Designation DE 02 Local Landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 93a - Desertmartin, Map No. 1 - 






• Listed St. Comgalls (CofI) Church is a visually 

and historically significant building and a local 

landmark. It occupies the site of a medieval Church; 

• Loughinsholin (Island of the O’Lynn’s) is a royal 

site of significant historical and archaeological 

importance. It includes low lying wetland with 

natural regeneration and significant tree cover, 

which is of nature conservation value; 

344

Desertmartin 

• St. Mary’s (RC) Church and adjacent Parochial 

House are landmark buildings. The surrounding 

mature trees are an important visual feature in the 

countryside and make a good entrance feature to 

the settlement from the north-west; 

• Area of wetland and regenerating vegetation 

to the east of St. Mary’s Church, an important 

landscape feature with wildlife value; 

• Industrial heritage value associated with the old 

mill and mill race on the Ballygowan Road; 

• Industrial heritage value associated with the old 

corn mill, mill race and site of mill pond on the 

Longfield Road; 

• Archaeological interest in site of medieval parish 

church, possibly on earlier site, located beside the 

Grange Water to the rear of Main Street; 

• Land to the east of the Grange Water is part of 

the wider setting of the settlement, affording 

good views to the settlement and Slieve Gallion 

beyond. An area of wetland within is an important 

landscape feature with wildlife value; 

• Localised hills to the south and west of the 

settlement contribute to its character and setting; 

• Grange Water, Keenaght Water and several 

stream corridors traverse the area providing an 

important local landscape feature, often with 

visually significant treed banks, and act as wildlife 

corridors; 

• Attractive vistas of Slieve Gallion from the 

Tobermore Road, south of the Parochial House. 



346

Glen 

GLEN 

Designation GN 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 94a - Glen. 






Milltown Burn. The settlement development limit is also drawn 

to protect the landscape and visual amenity of this gateway to 

the Glenshane Pass and Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural 

Beauty. 

348

Glen 

Designation GN 02 Local Landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 94a - Glen, Map No. 1 - 






• St. Patrick’s (RC) Church, a Listed Building (and 

graveyard) is a locally significant building. Views 

of the church from within the settlement are 

particularly important; 

• The Presbytery on Glen Road is an important local 

landmark building. A stand of mature trees on its 

western boundary contributes to the setting of the 

house. The site contributes to the character and 

setting of the settlement; 

• Milltown Burn and weir, and their environs provide 

important local landscape features and acts as a 




350

Glenone 

GLENONE 

Glenone is closely associated with the larger Portglenone village 

(in Ballymena Borough Council area) from which it is physically 

separated by the River Bann. 

Designation GE 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 95a - Glenone. 

The settlement development limit is designated to include 

existing development commitments and retain its compact 

settlement form, while preventing ribboning and encroachment 

into the surrounding countryside. It excludes land of high 

environmental quality and wildlife value along the River Bann. 

Designation GE 02 Local Landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 95a – Glenone, Map No. 1 - 






• Knockanhead is a significant localised landform 

which forms a good backdrop to the settlement, is 

visible in the wider landscape and contributes to 


• Visually important stand of mature trees on 

Knockanhead; 

352

Glenone 

• River Bann and Clady River corridors and associated 

vegetation are important landscape features, and 

acts as wildlife corridors; 

• Archaeological interest of the area between 

Knockanhead and the River Bann and historic 

crossing point. 

Designation GE 03 Local Landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 95a – Glenone, Map No. 1 - 






• Listed bridge over the River Bann, including its 


• River Bann and associated vegetation is an 

important landscape feature and acts as a wildlife 

corridor; 

• Visually important stands of mature trees. 



354

Gracefield 

GRACEFIELD 

Designation GD 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 96a - Gracefield. 


development opportunities in line with the scale, character and role 

of the settlement, while preventing ribboning and encroachment 

into the surrounding countryside. It excludes surrounding lands 

of high environmental quality and wildlife value, and historically 

important features of the man-made landscape. 

Designation GD 02 Local Landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 96a - Gracefield, Map No. 1 - 






• Former Moravian Church, now Gracefield CofI 

Church, is of particular historical interest, and is a 

landmark building; including its setting and views; 

• Moravian Burial Ground, its historical interest, 


• Visually significant band of trees around the 

Moravian Burial Ground and their contribution to 


• Industrial heritage value associated with the spade 

mill site, mill dams and millrace on Gracefield 

Road; 

356

Gracefield 

• Several stream corridors traverse the area, 

providing an important local landscape feature and 

act as wildlife corridors. 

The Department has included part of a field to the east of 

the Gracefield Road within Designation GD 02. Residential 

Development proposals on this site shall be in accordance with 

the following site development requirements: 

Site Development Requirements 

• Dwellings shall be either 1 or 11⁄2 storey, or a 

combination of both; 

• Dwellings shall be of a modest scale with single 

storey dwellings having a maximum floor area of 

120 square metres, and 11⁄2 storey dwellings having 

a maximum floor area of 160 square metres; 

• Dwellings shall be of vernacular design and 

proportions, including a vertical emphasis to 

fenestration with a bias in favour of the solid to 

void ratio, with roofs pitched and ridged and rising 

away from the road; 

• Dwellings shall face the public road; 

• Dwellings shall open directly onto the back edge of 

the public footpath / road or be set back with short 

front gardens; 

• Dwellings shall be a mixture of detached, semidetached 

or short terraces of 3, irregularly spaced 

and with gaps affording views from the Gracefield 

Road to the Ballymaguigan Road and beyond; 

• Outbuildings shall be sited to the rear of the 

dwellings; 

• There shall be a maximum of 8 dwelling units on 

the site; in depth development is not appropriate 

within the context of Gracefield. 



358

Gulladuff 

GULLADUFF 

Designation GF 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 97 - Gulladuff. 

The settlement development limit is designated to consolidate 

existing development, include existing commitments, and 

prevent ribboning and encroachment encroaching into the 


360

Inishrush 

INISHRUSH 

Designation IH 01 


Limit 


identified on Map No. 98a - Inishrush. 



role of this compact settlement, while preventing ribboning 

and encroachment into the surrounding countryside. It excludes 

lands of high environmental quality and wildlife value, and 

historically important features of the man-made landscape 

along the Clady River and its environs. 

362

Inishrush 

Designation IH 02 




identified on Map No. 98a – Inishrush, Map No. 1 - 






• St. Nossonus CofI Church, a Listed Building, with 

graveyard and trees, is a landmark building 

situated on a hill to the east of the settlement and 

visible over a wider area, including Clady and the 

Mayogall Road. 

• The old flax mill, mill race and weir on Fort Road 

represent local industrial heritage; 

• Clady River corridor and associated vegetation 

acts as a wildlife corridor and provides attractive 

distant views of the settlement, including Clady 

and the Mayogall Road; 

• Rising land to the east of the settlement, visible 

in the wider landscape, provides a backdrop and 

contributes to the setting of the settlement. 



364

Kilross 

KILROSS 

Designation KS 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 99a - Kilross. 

The settlement development limit is designated to consolidate 

development and to prevent ribboning of development along 

the Duntibryan/Rectory Road and encroachment into the 


366

Kilross 

Designation KS 02 Local Landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 99a - Kilross, Map No. 1 - 






• Church (in ruins) and graveyard, including 

mature Yew trees, contributes to the setting and 

character of the settlement. There are good views 

of the church from the southern approach to the 

settlement; 

• Kilcronaghan Rectory in mature planted 

grounds. The Rectory and the mature trees make 

a significant contribution to the setting and 

character of the settlement, and complement the 

views of the old church; 

• Spring Grove House is a locally important building 

beside a substantial rath, both surrounded by 

mature trees. It is a distinctive local feature beside 

the southern approach to the settlement and 

contributes to the character and setting of the 

settlement; 

• Tullyroan House on visually significant raised 

localised landform with associated vegetation; 

contribute to the setting and character of the 

settlement; 

• A stream corridor west of Tullyroan House 

traverses the area north south. It is an important 

local landscape feature and wildlife corridor. 



368

Knockcloghrim 

KNOCKCLOGHRIM 

Designation KM 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 100a - Knockcloghrim. 

The settlement development limit is designated to retain the 

settlements compact form while including existing development 

commitments, to protect the settings of a number of listed and 

landmark buildings and Knockcloghrim Windmill (an historic 

monument), and to exclude lands of high environmental quality 

and wildlife value surrounding the settlement. 

Designation KM 02 Local Landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 100a - Knockcloghrim, Map No. 

1 - Countryside and Map No. 100b – Local Landscape 





• Rising landforms and extensive tree cover add 

to and form the landscape character of the 

settlement; 

• Listed Knock House and associated mature 

vegetation, including setting and views; 

• Trees around the quarry, to the west of the Quarry 

Road, are an important landscape feature; 

370

Knockcloghrim 

• Rising landform from the west along the Hillhead 

Road and east of the Carricknakielt Road contains 

and defines the settlement. The avenue of trees 

along the Hillhead Road enhances the approach 

from the west; 

• Rising landform from the south and trees along the 

Lurganagoose Road form an important landscape 

feature, and provide a fine approach to the 

settlement; 

• Landforms on the edge of the settlement on the 

Hillhead Road are important entrance/exit features. 

Designation KM 03 Local Landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 100a - Knockcloghrim, Map No. 






• Listed St. Conlus’s (CofI) Church and its environs, 

including it’s setting and views. The church is a 

focus within the settlement; 

• Landform and mature vegetation at St. Conlus’s 

Church are a significant landscape feature; 

• Chimney and Windmill south of Hillhead Road 

represent the local industrial heritage and are 

important local landmark features. 



372

Longfield 

LONGFIELD 

Designation LD 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 101a - Longfield. 

The settlement development limit is designated around two 




settlement. 

374

Longfield 

Designation LD 02 Local Landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 101a - Longfield, Map No. 1 

- Countryside and Map No. 101b – Local Landscape 



contribute to the environmental quality or character 

of this area are listed below: 

• A stream corridor links the settlement’s two nodes. 

It is an important local landscape feature and 




376

Moneyneany 

MONEYNEANY 

Designation MY 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 102a - Moneyneany. 


existing development commitments and provide development 

opportunities in line with the scale, character and role of the 

settlement, while preventing ribboning and encroachment 

into the surrounding countryside. It excludes a fort (an historic 

monument) and lands of high environmental quality and 

wildlife value along the Douglas and Altalacky Rivers and their 

environs. 

378

Moneyneany 

Designation MY 02 Local Landscape Policy 


A Local Landscape Policy Area has been designated as 

identified on Map No. 102a - Moneyneany, Map No. 






• The fort, an historic monument, is an important 

feature in the local landscape; 

• The Altalacky and Douglas River corridors traverse 

the area, providing important local landscape 

features, often with significant treed banks and 

steep slopes. They act as wildlife corridors and 

provide a setting for the fort; 

• Listed St. Eugenes (RC) Church and its environs, 

with mature trees along the Moneyneany Road 

frontage, including its setting and views. 



380

Straw 

STRAW 

Designation SW 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 103a - Straw. 



opportunities in line with the scale, character and role of 

this compact settlement, while preventing ribboning and 

encroachment into the surrounding countryside. It excludes 

lands of high environmental quality and wildlife value to the 

east of the settlement, and along the White Water River and its 

environs. 

382

Straw 

Designation SW 02 Local Landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 103a - Straw, Map No. 1 - 

Countryside and Map No. 103b – Local Landscape 





• St Columbkille’s (RC) Church is a locally significant 

building and a local landmark within the 

settlement. Attractive views of the church are 

seen across the countryside and local fields, on the 

southern approach, where the hill-slopes also form 

a backdrop to the settlement; 

• Several river and stream corridors cross the area. 

Trees and scrub along these watercourses make 

them wildlife corridors, and together with some 

strong hedgerows, and a network of farm lanes, 

characterise a traditional rural landscape; 

• A series of flax, corn and sawmills, millraces and 

ponds were powered by water taken from the 

White Water to the Moyola River. These are a good 

example of the extent to which a small area with 

a dispersed rural community could support several 

industries, in the past. The mill buildings, some 

of them still in use, reflect a historic settlement 

pattern that is often much less obvious elsewhere; 

• To the north-west of the settlement a rath, an 

historic monument, occupies a prominent site 

on a river cliff on the northern bank of the River 

Moyola. 



384

Swatragh 

SWATRAGH 

Designation SH 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map 104a - Swatragh. 



opportunities in line with the scale, character and role of the 

settlement; to maintain the identity of the two historic clusters 

of Ringsend and Swatragh; and to prevent ribboning and 

encroachment into the surrounding countryside. It excludes the 

historic Killelagh Church and its environs, and other lands of 

high environmental quality and wildlife value. 

386

Swatragh 

Designation SH 02 Local Landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 104a - Swatragh, Map No. 1 






• Listed St. John the Baptist (RC) Church, a landmark 

building. The mixed stand of mature trees 

surrounding the Chapel and adjacent house is an 

important visual feature in the countryside and 

makes a good entrance feature to the settlement 

from the south. 




identified on Map No. 104a - Swatragh, Map No. 1 






• Several stream corridors traverse the area, are 

important local landscape features, often with 

visually significant treed banks, and act as wildlife 

corridors; 

• Recreational and amenity value of the public park 

and its contribution to the historic separation 

between Ringsend and Swatragh; 

388

Swatragh 

• Listed Killelagh (CofI) Church on a low hill 

overlooking the river, road and bridge, and 

sheltered by a mixed stand of mature trees, an 

important visual and wildlife feature. The trees 

and Church contribute to the setting and character 

of the settlement; 

• Raised landform to the north of Main Street 

defines the north-west limit of the settlement. 

It incorporates a traditional field pattern within 

which the old mill and mill pond represent the 

industrial heritage; 

• Long back gardens on Main Street reflect 

the original built form of the settlement and 

contribute to the setting and character of the 

street frontage development and form a strong 

visual backdrop. 

Gaps in the street frontage afford glimpsed views of the rising 

sub-divided landform. Historically, the backlands contained 

buildings and accommodate uses which were secondary to and 

related to those on the street frontage. 

390



A Local Landscape Policy Area is as identified on Map 

No. 104a - Swatragh, Map No. 1 - Countryside and Map 

No. 104b – Local Landscape Policy Areas. 




• Distinctive glacial hillocks are significant landscape 

features in this part of Swatragh, and on the 

approach to the settlement from the east; 

• A stream corridor traverses the area. It provides 

an important local landscape feature and acts as a 




391

Tamlaght 

TAMLAGHT 

Designation TT 01 


Limit 


identified on Map No. 105a - Tamlaght. 

The settlement development limit is designated to separate 

the compact settlement form from the sprawl of farm buildings 

to its south on the Tamlaght Road; to include committed 

development and provide development opportunities in 

line with the scale, character and role of the settlement; 

and to prevent ribboning and encroachment into the 

surrounding countryside. It excludes surrounding lands of high 

environmental quality and wildlife value. 

Designation TT 02 

Local landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 105 - Tamlaght, Map No. 1 






• Listed Tamlaght (CofI) Church and adjacent ruins 

of earlier Parish Church (an historic monument), 

on medieval and possibly earlier site, visible in the 

wider landscape; 

392

Tamlaght 

• Tamlaght Presbyterian Church is a locally significant 

building and local landmark. It contributes to the 

character and setting of the settlement, especially 

as seen from the east; 

• Holy well, an historic monument adjacent to Church 

Park, probably associated with the early church 

here; 

• The Tamlaght Road to the north west of the 

settlement offers impressive views westwards to 

the Sperrin Mountains; 

• Mature trees on each side of the Tamlaght Road 

form a good entrance / exit feature from the north 

west; 

• Listed Tamlaght Cottage and its environs, including 

its setting and views; 

• A stream corridor and associated wetland defines 

the western slopes of the ridge and settlement. It 

provides an important local landscape feature and 

acts as a wildlife corridor. 

• Rising landform on which the settlement sits, and 

associated vegetation. 



394

Upperlands 

UPPERLANDS 

Designation US 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 106a - Upperlands. 

The settlement development limit has been designated to 

include committed development, prevent encroachment and 

ribbon development into the surrounding countryside, and 

provide limited small-scale development opportunities reflecting 

the settlements existing scale and role. The limit will also protect 

visually and historically important local landscapes and contain 

the settlement’s historic form. 

Designation US 02 Local Landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 106a - Upperlands, Map No. 1 





character of the area are listed below: 

• Mature vegetation, including substantial areas of 

designed landscape, along the Knockoneill/Clady 

River, defines the character of the settlement and 

enhances its setting, and is also valuable for nature 

conservation; 

• Several streams, with associated mature trees and 

scrub, contribute to the landscape character and 

natural heritage of the area; 

396

Upperlands 

• Extensive industrial complex, Clark’s Mill, 

with associated dams, races, and buildings 

(including a listed 1736 thatched beetling mill 

and water wheel) in a designed landscape which 

complements those of associated large houses; 

• A series of substantial residences in designed 

inter-related landscape settings are associated 

with the owners and managers of the local 

industry. Ampertaine House (listed building) 

adjoins the main mill building complex. It with 

its gate-lodge (listed building), within a designed 

landscape setting which includes the river corridor, 

dominates the Kilrea road through the settlement. 

This landscape combines with a series of locally 

significant buildings – Ardtara (listed building), 

Rockwood, Gortreade, Carnbane and Upperlands 

Houses, and their designed settings, to define the 

north-eastern approaches to the settlement. The 

mature woodland contributes to the distinctive 

character of the settlement and its setting; 

• The extensive landscaped grounds of Benbragagh 

House, a locally significant building, define the 

south-eastern limits of the settlement and enhance 

the approach from Culnady; 

• Boyne Row (listed buildings), and its riverside 

setting, represents workers housing, provided by 

the mill-owners; 

• The extensive woodland, including estate planting 

and parkland, which is such an impressive part 

of the landscape is also of value for nature 

conservation. 



398

Upperlands 

Designation US 03 Area of Townscape 

Character 

An Area of Townscape Character is designated as 

identified on Map No. 106a – Upperlands and Map No. 

106c – Area of Townscape Character. 

Key Features of the area which will be taken into 

account when assessing development proposals 


• The late Victorian/early Edwardian Boyne Row - red 

brick and black stone built terraces with pitched 

slate roofs, which retain their original form and 

proportions, and much original detailing; 

• The visually prominant setting of Boyne Row 

on high ground overlooking the river and the 

surrounding area of the settlement; 

• The long front gardens to Boyne Row emphasise 

and enhance the form of the terrace, and their 

physical and visual link to the industrial complex on 

the Kilrea Road; 

• Boyne Row has an historical and physical 

relationship with the Knockoneill River, Kilrea Road 

beetling mill buildings, Ampertain House Gate 

Lodge and the former railway yard; 

• The designed open space between Boyne Row and 

the river is critical for maintaining the elements of 

industrial heritage and townscape; 

• Mature trees and woodland along the Knockoneill 

River, the line of the former railway, and Kilrea 

Road; 

400

Upperlands 

• The beetling mill building on the Kilrea Road, a 

solid Victorian stone-built industrial building, 

and the adjacent mill race and weir represent the 

history of industrial use; 

• Ampertain House Gate Lodge on the Kilrea Road, a 

late 18th Century single storey hipped roof building 

with canted bay windows, and the entrance to the 

Clark’s estate and Ampertain House; walls, gates, 

pillars and surrounding vegetation; 

• Built form is everywhere part of a designed planted 

landscape/townscape. 

Part of the character of the ATC is its sense of place, which is 

enhanced by the integration of built form within the mature 

and man-made landscape. 

The settlement owes its existence to the linen industry, and 

specifically to the Clark family who established the first linen 

mill there in 1736. Subsequent development of the linen 

industry and of substantial residences and small groups of 

workers homes, shaped the form and character of what is today 

Upperlands. 

The ATC encompasses the core of the settlement with its 

terraces of workers houses and mill buildings, which represent 

the legacy of the linen industry and its patrons. 

Within the Area a sense of completeness pervades and 

minimal potential exists for new development. Where new 

development is considered appropriate, it should be in keeping 

with the overall historic built form of the settlement in terms 

of layout, scale, massing and materials. The protection of the 

landscape both within and adjacent to the designated area is of 

paramount importance. 

The sense of place that is Upperlands can only be protected 

by conserving the close relationship between the built and 

natural environment, which is the essence of its character and 

appearance. 

402

Policy for the control of development in Areas of Townscape 

Character is contained in Policy CON 4 in Part 2 of the Plan. 

Conservation Area 

It is considered that the wider settlement including the Clark’s 

industrial estate, Ampertain and Ardtara Houses and grounds, 

important features and associated planting are of architectural 

and historic significance which may merit designation as a 

Conservation Area. The feasibility of this will be assessed during 

the Plan period. 

403


THE WOODS 

Designation WS 01 Settlement Development 

Limit 


identified on Map No. 107a - The Woods. 

The settlement development limit is designated to facilitate 

a compact form while allowing limited development 

opportunities appropriate to the form, scale and character of 

the settlement, while protecting views and the setting of St. 

Johns (C of I) Church. It excludes surrounding lands of high 

environmental quality and wildlife value. 

404


Designation WS 02 Local Landscape Policy 



identified on Map No. 107a - The Woods, Map No. 1 






• St. John’s (Listed) (CofI) Church and graveyard, 

rectory and associated trees, are important as a 

group, and as the focal point of the settlement, and 

distinctive in the rural local landscape; 

• The settlement is on a slight terrace between two 

streams: substantial scrub vegetation, an area of 

reeds and woodland plantation along the stream to 

the north-east, beyond which rising land provides 

a backdrop to the settlement. The land slopes 

steeply to the stream at the south-west, which also 

has substantial scrub vegetation. Together, these 

stream corridors provide a distinctive setting for 

the settlement; 

• The rising lands beyond the stream at the 

south-west are important for views within the 

settlement; 

• The lands to the south of the Ballyronan Road are 

undeveloped, except for the small Orange Hall. 

This relationship of the settlement to the rural 

landscape along the main road is the key to its 

visual and historic character. 



406

Appendices 

APPENDIX 1 

Policy Context 

409

POLICY CONTEXT 

• The Belfast Agreement – the outcome of the multi-party 

negotiations on the future of Northern Ireland, April 1998; 

• The Northern Ireland Act 1998; 

• The UK Government’s White Paper on Partnership for 

Equality, DFP March 1998 (leading to the development of 

New Targeting Social Need Policy); 

• Policy Appraisal and the Environment, DETR April 1998; 

• The UK Government’s White Paper on the future of 

Transport, “A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone”, 

DETR 1998; 

• “Moving forward – the Northern Ireland Transport Policy 

Statement”, DOE 1998; 

• “A Better Quality of Life – A UK Strategy for Sustainable 

Development”, DETR May 1999; 

• The Strategic Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1999; 

• Strategy 2010 – A Report by the Economic Development 

Strategy Review Steering Group, March 1999; 

• “Creating Places – achieving quality in residential 

developments”, Design Guide published by DOE and DRD, 

May 2000; 

• The Northern Ireland Programme for Government; 

• Biodiversity in Northern Ireland: Recommendations to 

Government for a Biodiversity Strategy, Northern Ireland 

Biodiversity Group, October 2000; 

410

• River Conservation Strategy: An Environment and Heritage 

Service strategy to protect, conserve and enhance to natural 

and built heritage values of rivers in Northern Ireland and 

facilitate their sustainable use, DOE2001; 

• “Developing a Regional Transportation Strategy” – a 

Consultation Paper, January 2001; 

• “Shaping our Future – Regional Development Strategy for 

Northern Ireland 2025”, September 2001. 

411

APPENDIX 2 

Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) 

413

Published 

PPS 1 General Principles March 1998 

PPS 2 Planning and Nature Conservation June 1997 

PPS 3 Development Control: Roads May 1996 

Considerations 

PPS 4 Industrial Development March 1997 

PPS 5 Retailing and Town Centres June 1996 

PPS 6 Planning, Archaeology and the Built March 1999 

Heritage 

PPS 7 Quality Residential Environments June 2001 

PPS 8 Open Space, Sport and Recreation March 2004 

PPS 9 The Enforcement of Planning Control March 2000 

PPS 10 Telecommunications April 2002 

PPS 11 Planning and Waste Management December 2002 

Issued for Consultation 

PPS 3 

(Revised) 

PPS 4 

(Revised) 

PPS 12 

PPS 13 

Access, Movement and Parking 

Industry, Business and Distribution 

Housing in Settlements 

Transportation and Land Use 

414

APPENDIX 3 

Development Control Advice Notes 

415

DEVELOPMENT CONTROL ADVICE NOTES 

Number 

Topic 

1 Amusement Centres 

2 Multiple Occupancy 

3 Bookmaking Offices 

4 Restaurants, Cafes and Fast Food Outlets Revised 

5 Taxi Offices 

6 Unallocated 

7 Public Houses 

8 Housing in Existing Urban Areas Revised 

9 Residential and Nursing Homes 

10 Environmental Impact Assessment Revised 

11 Access for People with Disabilities 

12 Planning Control of Hazardous Substances 2 nd Edition 

13 Crèches, Day Nurseries and Pre-School Playgroups 

15 Vehicular Access Standards 2 nd Edition 

Issued for Consultation 

11 Access for All – Designing for an Accessible Environment 

Revised 

14 Siting and Design of Radio Telecommunication Equipment 

Revised 

416

APPENDIX 4 

Ramsar Sites 

Special Protection Areas 

Special Areas of Conservation 

National Nature Reserves 

Areas of Special Scientific Interest 

Areas of Scientific Interest 

Forest Parks 

Conservation Areas 

417

APPENDIX 5 

The Planning Team & Acknowledgements 

447

The Planning Team 

The Citizen’s Charter for Northern Ireland seeks to ensure that 

the public is aware of the officials who are involved in Area Plan 

preparation. The officers chiefly involved in the production of 

the Draft Magherafelt Area Plan 2015 at the time of publication 

are listed as follows: 

Anne Lockwood 

Michael Francey 

Michael Kennedy 

Eddie McErlean 

David Cheddy 

Michael Logan 

Wes Cathcart 

BSc (Hons) Dip TP Dip MP MRTPI 

BA (Hons), Dip TP, MRTPI 

Dip Bldg Cons (RSUA), IHBC 

HNC 

BSc (Hons), Dip.T&CP 

BSc (Hons), MSc. 

HNC T&CP 

Acknowledgements 

The Planning Service wishes to record its gratitude to all those 

who helped in the production of this document including: 

Cover Photographs 

Design and Layout 

Edgar Brown 

15 Castle Avenue 

Richill 

County Armagh 

DRD Graphics Design Unit 

448

Magherafelt Area Plan 2015: Draft Plan - The Planning Service

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