Local Development Plan

Housing in the Countryside
POLICY CONTEXT AND EVIDENCE BASE
Housing in the Countryside
Regional Development Strategy 2035 (RDS)
POLICY CONTEXT AND EVIDENCE BASE
The countryside is a unique resource. It contains landscapes of
Regional Development Strategy 2035 (RDS)
considerable quality and amenity, important indications of our cultural
The heritage countryside and is also is a significant unique resource. in terms It of contains nature conservation landscapes of and
considerable biodiversity by quality providing and amenity, habitats for important wildlife, indications flora and fauna. of our cultural
heritage and is also significant in terms of nature conservation and
It is a recreational resource and a considerable tourist asset. The
biodiversity by providing habitats for wildlife, flora and fauna.
countryside is also home to our agricultural industry and to a
It considerable is a recreational and growing resource rural and community. a considerable tourist asset. The
countryside is also home to our agricultural industry and to a
Within Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area approximately 15% of the
considerable and growing rural community.
total council population live within the countryside (outside settlements)
equating Within Lisburn to approximately & Castlereagh 20,786 City Council people 22 area . approximately 15% of the
total council population live within the countryside (outside settlements)
The rural community living in small towns, villages, and small settlements
equating to approximately 20,786 people 22 .
in the countryside, has experienced the fastest rate of population growth
The which rural reverses community a long living term in trend small of towns, population villages, decline. and small settlements
in the countryside, has experienced the fastest rate of population growth
The RDS emphasises the importance of keeping our rural areas
which reverses a long term trend of population decline.
sustainable to ensure that people who live there have access to services
and The RDS are offered emphasises opportunities the importance in terms of of keeping accessing our education, rural areas jobs,
healthcare sustainable and to ensure leisure. that people who live there have access to services
and are offered opportunities in terms of accessing education, jobs,
Agriculture is the largest business category in rural areas. Other sectors
healthcare and leisure.
include construction, property and business services, retail and
Agriculture production. is the largest business category in rural areas. Other sectors
include construction, property and business services, retail and
production.
22 Development Plan Position Paper 1: Population and Growth. The countryside
refers to those places outside of settlements
22 Development Plan Position Paper 1: Population and Growth. The countryside
refers to those places outside of settlements
People from rural areas are required to travel longer distances than their
urban counterparts in order to access job opportunities. Mobility of rural
People dwellers from is important rural areas so are that required they can to access travel and longer benefit distances from than their
employment urban counterparts opportunities in order both to access locally job and opportunities. at a wider regional Mobility level. of rural
dwellers is important so that they can access and benefit from
To sustain rural communities, new development and employment
employment opportunities both locally and at a wider regional level.
opportunities which respect local, social and environmental
To circumstances sustain rural are communities, required. new development and employment
opportunities which respect local, social and environmental
The expansion of rural tourism and associated development that is both
circumstances are required.
sustainable and environmentally sensitive is also encouraged through the
The RDS. expansion of rural tourism and associated development that is both
sustainable and environmentally sensitive is also encouraged through the
A strong network of smaller towns supported by villages helps to sustain
RDS.
and service the rural community.
A strong network of smaller towns supported by villages helps to sustain
The RDS aims to:
and service the rural community.
• Sustain rural communities living in smaller settlements and the
The RDS aims to:
open countryside
Sustain rural communities living in smaller settlements and the
• Establish the role of multi-functional town centres
open countryside
• Connect rural and urban areas
Establish the role of multi-functional town centres
• Revitalise small towns and villages
Connect rural and urban areas
• Facilitate the development of rural industries, businesses and
Revitalise small towns and villages
enterprises in appropriate locations
Facilitate the development of rural industries, businesses and
• Encourage sustainable and sensitive development
enterprises in appropriate locations
• Encourage sustainable and sensitive development
Key Issues and Options 53