Magherafelt Area Plan 2015: Draft Plan - The Planning Service

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