Local Development Plan

Options for Key Issue 14: Strengthening District & Local Centres
Option 14A Preferred Option
Extend District and Local Centre Boundaries: Amend the boundaries of
Forestside District Centre to include adjacent lands to the north including
the Homebase and Drumkeen Retail Park and Dundonald Local Centre to
include the Park & Ride site to the north-east.
Reason
It is recognised that District and Local Centres have a role to play as a supporting role to
the main towns, in that they provide a range of useful services for a largely local
population.
Whilst the retail area at Drumkeen Retail Park consists of mostly retail warehouses, these
may benefit from conversion to smaller units. Their use within the existing District Centre
would provide a complementary role to Forestside Shopping Centre.
The option to extend Dundonald Local Centre to include the Park & Ride site is in
accordance with the proposal of the Castlereagh Urban Integrated Development
Framework. This aims to encourage commuters to use shops and services in Dundonald
and improve pedestrian linkages.
This option is in accordance with regional strategic policy identified in the SPPS for
defining the network of District and Local Centres which provide a diverse offer and mix
of uses reflective of local circumstances.
(See Appendix H, Maps 14 & 15)
Option 14B
Retain the existing boundaries at Forestside District Centre and
Dundonald Local Centre: This option does not permit any further
expansion at these locations.
Reason
Whilst maintaining the status quo allows for the retention of the existing designated
District Centre at Forestside Shopping Centre and the adjoining car parks. It restricts
opportunity for alternative complementary uses at Drumkeen Retail Park.
Likewise, by maintaining the status quo at Dundonald Local Centre, this may impact on
the proposal for achieving better commuter linkages as set out in the Castlereagh Urban
Integrated Development Framework.
Have your say! Please use the Council’s Preferred Options Response Form to submit your response to this Preferred Option.
Key Issues and Options 111