Local Development Plan

Options for Key Issue 2: Facilitating Future Housing Growth (Settlements)
Option 2A Preferred Option
Focus future Housing Growth in Lisburn City with
limited dispersal in the remaining settlement
hierarchy, taking into account any constraints: This
option recognises the importance of Lisburn City as a
centre for housing growth and the growth of West
Lisburn will support development of the Knockmore Link
as a key piece of infrastructure.
A limited amount of housing growth could also be
distributed throughout the remaining settlement
hierarchy taking into account any constraints, such as
land still remaining within the towns/villages for
housing, environmental designations, and the pressures
on existing infrastructure (including the ability of the
settlement to absorb any further development).
Reason
It is proposed to allow for an additional 10% of new housing growth allocation to accommodate any shortfall
in housing land supply over the Plan period. This could yield approximately 1,330 housing units depending on
density. The aim is to focus housing growth in Lisburn City and with limited additional housing growth in other
settlements in the hierarchy.
Lisburn City: This option proposes the existing employment zoning at West Lisburn/Blaris to be re-designated
to allow up to 50% of this zoning (i.e. approximately 60 hectares) to be allocated for housing. Lisburn City has
33% of the existing population in the Council area. The City could accommodate approximately 1,000
additional housing units in West Lisburn/Blaris at a medium density of approximately 15 to 20 dwellings per
hectare. The existing housing zonings (identified in the existing Development Plan) will also be protected.
This option prevents the need for any future development to extend beyond the existing settlement limit
making it highly sustainable. This proposal supports the development of a key piece of infrastructure – the
Knockmore Link - and allows for integrating housing land with public transport, in particular the proposed new
Rail Halt and Park & Ride facility at Knockmore. This will contribute to reducing the need to travel by car and
encourage the use of public transport.
The north and east of Lisburn City have a number of Environmental Designations including a Green Wedge
which separates the built-up area towards Milltown village and an Area of High Scenic Value in the north
(which meets the Belfast Hills). Lands east of the settlement limits border the Lagan Valley Regional Park. The
southern side is defined by the M1 Motorway and Sprucefield Regional Shopping Centre.
Greater Urban Areas of Lisburn & Castlereagh, Towns, Villages & Small Settlements: As this option focuses
most of the housing allocation in Lisburn City, only a limited amount of additional housing growth across the
remainder of the settlement hierarchy will be required (i.e. the Greater Urban areas of Lisburn & Castlereagh,
towns, villages or small settlements). Approximately, 330 housing units could be distributed to the remainder
of the settlement hierarchy.
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Key Issues and Options