Local Development Plan

government tourism initiatives. These include consideration of how
future tourism demand is best accommodated, safeguarding key tourism
assets, identifying potential tourism growth areas, taking account of
environmental considerations and the contribution of tourism to
economic development, conservation and urban regeneration.
Planning Policy Statement 16: Tourism (PPS16)
PPS 16 sets out the policy context for tourism development in Northern
Ireland. The policy objectives in PPS16 for tourism are reflected in the
Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) regional policy objectives
which reiterate the role of the Local Development Plan. The existing
policy for tourism development in the countryside is provided in Policies
TSM2 to TSM7 of PPS 16.
Existing Development Plan
The existing Development Plan (BMAP) provides a Tourism Strategy
which seeks to promote sustainable tourism development, protect a
varied range of tourist development opportunities and facilitate the
development of tourist infrastructure. It also aims to enhance the urban
environment with specific emphasis on ‘first impression’ points at major
gateways and in city and town centres.
Within the Council area, Lisburn City Centre is recognised as being the
main focus for tourism with its linen heritage, the Irish linen Centre and
Lisburn Museum being located within its central retail core. The
regeneration of the Historic Quarter in Lisburn City Centre including the
Island Civic Centre is also important.
It recognises the many recreational opportunities along the River Lagan,
which are complemented by Lisburn & Castlereagh City’s indoor
recreational facilities and parks, (including Dundonald International Ice
Bowl). Lisburn’s proximity to the Belfast Hills and the River Lagan with its
canal, towpath and wider Lagan Valley Regional Park have the potential
to open up further outdoor recreation opportunities and the expansion of
water based tourism. This could provide a significant recreational asset
for the City.
The expansion of the night time economy within the Council area is
acknowledged and the development of additional accommodation
options across the Council area are seen to be priority areas for future
tourism development.
BMAP classified the potential for tourism development (See Table 5)
taking account of the quality and character of the townscape and
landscape and the natural and built heritage.
• Conservation areas where tourism development should not be
approved within the majority of their extent to protect the tourism
asset
• Sensitive areas where tourism development should be strictly
controlled to respect the local environment and particular
characteristics of the area
• Opportunity areas, largely urban based, where the majority of
development for tourism uses will be expected to locate in order to
build on the existing tourism base and enhance the tourism
product.
126
Key Issues and Options