Local Development Plan

Key Issue 21: Protecting and Enhancing Open Space, Sport &
Outdoor Recreation
Key Issue 21: Protecting and Enhancing Open Space, Sport &
Open space is largely used for exercise and relaxation purposes but its
Outdoor Recreation
purpose extends beyond this to enhancing the character of an area and
improving Open space the is largely quality used of life for (particularly exercise and within relaxation urban areas). purposes It provides but its
important purpose extends green lungs beyond in built-up this to enhancing areas and the visual character breaks of from an area and
development, improving the reduces quality of flood life (particularly risk and protects within wildlife urban habitats. areas). It provides
important green lungs in built-up areas and visual breaks from
Open space forms an important component of the urban environment
development, reduces flood risk and protects wildlife habitats.
and can enhance the character of our towns and cities, attract business
and Open tourism space forms by making an important places more component attractive of to the work urban and environment
visit, and
contribute and can enhance to the the process character of urban of our renewal towns and and regeneration. cities, attract The business
new
LDP and tourism can protect by making existing places areas more of open attractive space and to work identify and new visit, areas and
that
may contribute need protected to the process for future of urban open renewal space provision. and regeneration. There are The many new
health LDP can benefits protect associated existing areas with of access open to space open and space identify and new parks, areas from that
reduced may need stress protected levels for and future better open perceived space general provision. health There to are increased many
levels health of benefits physical associated activity and with improved access to mental open space health. and parks, from
reduced stress levels and better perceived general health to increased
The benefits of sport and outdoor recreation on the physical and mental
levels of physical activity and improved mental health.
health of the community is widely recognised. It can have a positive
effect The benefits on people’s of sport lives and and outdoor play an recreation important on role the in physical improving and health mental
and health wellbeing of the community as well as contributing is widely recognised. to improving It can social have cohesion. a positive
effect on people’s lives and Community Greenways 40 play an important role in improving health
(Appendix I Maps 17 – 25) seek to re-establish
and wellbeing as well as contributing to improving social cohesion.
corridor links between parks and natural areas to create a network of
Community Greenways 40 (Appendix I Maps 17 – 25) seek to re-establish
corridor links between parks and natural areas to create a network of
40 See Key Issue 25: Connecting People & Places – Greenways which further discusses
Strategic Greenways
40 See Key Issue 25: Connecting People & Places – Greenways which further discusses
Strategic Greenways
urban open space. Community Greenways provide places for both
recreation and exercise (with opportunities for pedestrian and cycle
routes) urban open and provide space. Community local wildlife Greenways habitats. Both provide publicly places owned for both
open
space recreation and private and exercise land are (with included opportunities – even where for pedestrian public access and cycle
is not
permitted, routes) and the provide green local space wildlife can still habitats. provide Both important publicly visual owned linkages open
and
enhance space and amenity private within land are the included urban area. – even Where where public public access access is not is not
available, permitted, BMAP the green detailed space alternative can still provide pedestrian important routes visual to provide linkages a and
means enhance of amenity circumventing within the private urban area. areas. Where public access is not
available, BMAP detailed alternative pedestrian routes to provide a
Community Greenways can act as a cycle network (for example where
they
means are
of provided
circumventing next to
the river
private corridors
areas.
or disused railway lines) allowing
cyclists Community to have Greenways a safer journey can act with as a cycle less noise network & pollution. (for example Community where
Greenways they are provided can also next act to as river corridors corridors linking or areas disused of railway open space lines) in allowing
urban
areas cyclists with to have the countryside. a safer journey with less noise & pollution. Community
Greenways can also act as corridors linking areas of open space in urban
Table areas with 6: Existing the countryside.
Community Greenways
BMAP Reference
Community Greenway
Table 6: Existing Community * Community Greenways
continues into Belfast City Council
BMAP Reference
MCH 41/03*
MCH 41/04* 41/03*
Community Greenway
Castlereagh * Community Escarpment Greenway continues / Lagan Valley into Regional Belfast City Park Council
(LVRP)
Castlereagh Escarpment / Lagan Valley Regional Park
(LVRP)
at Belvoir
MCH 41/05 41/04*
Enler Castlereagh Greenway Escarpment / Lagan Valley Regional Park
MCH 41/06*
(LVRP) at Belvoir
Comber Greenway
MCH 41/05
LC 39/01
Enler Greenway
Friends School / Belfast Hills
MCH 41/06*
LC 39/02
Comber Greenway
Friends School / River Lagan
LC 39/01
LC 39/03
LC 39/02
Friends School / Belfast Hills
Friends School Wallace Park / Millbrook /
Lagan Friends Valley School Regional / River Park Lagan
LC 39/04 39/03 Friends School / Wallace Lagan Valley Park Regional / Millbrook Park /
(LVRP)
ML 23/02*
Lagan Valley Regional Park
Lagan Valley Regional Park (LVRP)/Colin Valley Golf Course
LC 39/04 Friends School / Lagan Valley Regional Park (LVRP)
ML 23/02*
Lagan Valley Regional Park (LVRP)/Colin Valley Golf Course
Key Issues and Options 141