Heritage Plan 2022-2027

DERRY CITY & STRABANE DISTRICT COUNCIL Heritage Plan 

DERRY CITY & STRABANE 

DISTRICT COUNCIL 

2022 


a vision for our future 

www.derrystrabane.com/heritageplan 

1



Derry City and Strabane district 

has a rich built heritage set within 

a stunning landscape. It is part of a 

cross border city region, packed with 

interesting historical sites linking the 

tourism routes of the Wild Atlantic 

Way and the Causeway 

Coastal Route. 

DERRY CITY & STRABANE 

DISTRICT COUNCIL 

The ‘Walled City’ hosts the most complete 

circuit of walls on the island of Ireland and the 

last constructed in Europe. It features historic 

buildings, utilised as museums, arts venues, 

speciality retail and hospitality premises, and 

is the backdrop to a series of cultural events 

throughout the year. Beyond this, are many 

settlements of high historic interest such as Sion 

Mills, Newtownstewart, Eglinton, Foreword 

and Castlederg. 

Introduction 

Guardianship 

The District can also boast a Our rich Heritage industrial 

heritage and, across the area, there are 

stately homes such as Baronscourt, important 

prehistoric sites, fine churches, Section and important 2 

historic rural dwellings and community Developing buildings. our Plan 

All of these, in combination with Our the Vision wider 

historic landscape of townland The boundaries, Circle of Heritage 

Policy Context 

designed gardens and marine features, help to 

make this a very unique and important place. 

Heritage assets across the district Objectives have and been Actions 

recorded by both Council and regional agencies 

over many years and some have been protected 

though the planning system or 

Section 

through 

4 

legislation. The level of protection Delivery provided 

is roughly dependent upon the Monitoring importance 

associated with the asset. Some of the most 

important are protected and maintained by 

the State as ‘Monuments in State Care or 

Guardianship’. Assets of ‘special’ significance are 

Section 2. 

a vision for our future 

Contents 

Section 1 

Section 3 

While the Historic Environment forms 

a key component 2022 of the 

Working 2027 with stakeholders 

This plan is focused upon ‘tangible heritage’ and 

more specifically upon the ‘historic environment’. 

That is, 

• Intangible heritage - such as our customs, 

This forms a diverse and unique 

14 Monuments in State Care/ 

‘Our vision is for a place 


IMAGE: 

Strabane Bridge on the Mourne River. 

2 

3



Derry DERRY City CITY and & STRABANE Strabane district 

has DISTRICT a rich COUNCIL built heritage set within 










circuit a vision of walls on for the our island future of Ireland and the 







Mills, Newtownstewart, Eglinton, 


The District can also boast a rich industrial 



prehistoric sites, fine churches, and important 

historic rural dwellings and community buildings. 

All of these, in combination with the wider 

historic landscape of townland boundaries, 



Heritage assets across the district have been 



though the planning system or through 

legislation. The level of protection provided 

is roughly dependent upon the importance 





Section 2. 


a key component of the 

Working with stakeholders 



That is, 




Guardianship 



IMAGE: 

Cannon at Double Bastion, 

Derry Walls. 

Foreword 

Iain Greenway, 

Director of Historic Environment Division, 

Department for Communities 

For the last five years Historic Environment 

Division has been working closely with 

partners to develop a ‘compelling 

narrative’ to show how heritage can 

contribute to our economy, society and 

environment. This has resulted in a joint 

website www.niheritagedelivers.org, a 

booklet of the same name, a sectoral 

action plan, and the publication of joint 

statistics. This work responds to a new way 

of working presented first in the 2016 

draft Programme for Government, and 

also incorporated in community planning 

where in both cases ‘outcomes’ and an 

emphasis upon partnership have become 

the focus of the approaches taken. It is 

also reflected in the 2021 draft PfG. The 

heritage sector is confident that it has an 

important contribution to make to these. 

In this District, we have been working with 

Derry City & Strabane District Council and other 

stakeholders for many years with the aim of 

realising heritage potential. From 2004 we 

worked together in the development of the 

historic city walls and surrounding heritage 

assets as part of the Walled City Signature 

Tourism Project. Subsequently we sought to 

capitalise upon the opportunity of the UK City 

of Culture 2013 designation through grant 

aid, supporting events, publications, advice on 

planning proposals, and the development of 

assets such as conserving the string of medieval 

churches along Lough Foyle. 

In November 2015 we organised a conference 

looking at how international best practice 

could be integrated into local heritage 

management. One result was that the Chief 

Executive of the Council, John Kelpie, took 

on the heritage brief at the Society of Local 

Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) meetings 

with his counterparts across Northern Ireland. 

Another result was that we developed a pilot 

project to examine the role of a local ‘Heritage 

IMAGE: 

Harry Avery’s Castle, Newtownstewart 

4 5



Derry Development City and Officer’. Strabane This plan district one output 

has from a that rich collaboration built heritage and sets set out within an 

agreed way to further realise it’s potential. 


Heritage has an important role to play in 


delivering positive outcomes for the Derry City 


and Strabane District Council area and this 

tourism plan, linked routes to the council’s of the growth Wild Atlantic plan, is an 

Way important and way the of Causeway 

ensuring that this contribution 

Coastal is well understood Route. and appreciated by all. 

I hope that it will be a source of inspiration 

The and ‘Walled action for City’ many hosts years the into most the complete future. 




Karen Phillips, 


is Director the backdrop of Environment 

to a series of cultural events 

throughout & Regeneration, the year. Beyond this, are many 

settlements 

Derry City 

of 

& 

high 

Strabane 

historic interest such as Sion 


and 

District 

Castlederg. 

Council 

Heritage forms an important part of the 

Derry City & Strabane District Council area, 

The characterised District can in also the rich boast and a rich diverse industrial array of 

heritage assets which and, include across our the historic area, there Walled are City, 

stately rural landscapes, homes such archaeology, as Baronscourt, conservation important 

prehistoric areas and listed sites, fine buildings churches, to name and but important a 


few. The significance of our built heritage is 


historic 

reinforced 

landscape 

in Council’s 

of townland 

Inclusive Strategic 

boundaries, 

Growth 

Plan in terms of its contribution to the District’s 

designed environmental, gardens economic and marine and social features, wellbeing. help to 

make Beyond this this, a very heritage unique and and its important great potential, place. 

feature in other Council plans and strategies 

Heritage including our assets Green across Infrastructure the district Plan, have Climate been 


Action Plan, NW Greenways Plan, Arts & Culture 


Strategy, Tourism Development Strategy and 


legislation. the local DEA The community level of protection plans. provided 


associated This Heritage with Plan the is asset. a key Some output of of the most joint 

important initiative between are protected Council and and maintained the Department by 

the for Communities State as ‘Monuments Historic Environment in State Care Division or 

Guardianship’. 

(HED) in the design 

Assets 

and 

of ‘special’ 

delivery 

significance 

of a Heritage 

are 

Pilot project for the Council area. Through the 

provision of a dedicated Heritage Development 

Officer, this pilot project has sought to raise 

the profile of our local heritage including 

initiatives involving animation, conservation, 

Section 2. 

interpretation, research, partnerships and 

awareness. 

While The development the Historic of a dedicated Environment Heritage forms Plan 

provides Council, HED and its partners with 


the ability to build on these activities, and to 

Working create further with opportunities stakeholders to promote the 

importance of our heritage sector through a 

This series plan of proposed is focused actions upon ‘tangible and initiatives heritage’ over and 

more the next specifically five years. upon the ‘historic environment’. 

That is, 

Protecting heritage for future generations is 

• an important Intangible element heritage within - such the as Heritage our customs, 

Plan, and accordingly its relationship with the 

This emerging forms Local a diverse Development and unique Plan is considered 

to be particularly important given its focus on 

14 the Monuments protection of the in State historic Care/ built environment. 

Guardianship 

Partnership will form an important element 

of the Plan, with actions being delivered by a 

‘Our range of vision stakeholders, is for a many place of which will be 

subject to availability of resourcing/funding. 


Council recognised the particularly challenging 

funding climate and will endeavor to work with 

partners to identify suitable funding sources in 

order to deliver against the actions in this Plan. 

I would like to acknowledge the assistance 

and support of all partners in the development 

of this Heritage Plan and look forward to 

continued engagement throughout the lifespan 

of this document. 

IMAGE: 

The Guildhall in Derry 

6 

7




has Section a rich built heritage 1. set within 


cross Our border Heritage 

city region, packed with 



The Derry City and Strabane 


Coastal District Council Route. Area prides itself 

on its unique history, heritage and 


circuit 

character. 

of walls 

From 

on the 

ancient 

island of Ireland 

standing 

and the 



speciality buildings retail and and bridges hospitality of premises, the rural and 

is 

area, 

the backdrop 

there is 

to 

much 

a series 

to 

of 

be 

cultural 

proud 

events 

of. 


settlements This plan aims of high to historic ensure interest that such this as Sion 


legacy is valued by all and that 


stones to city walls and the churches, 

its potential to contribute to the 

modern life of our Council area is 

The 

fully 

District 

realised. 

can also boast a rich industrial 




What is Heritage? 



UNESCO- the United Nations Educational 


Scientific and Cultural Organisation defines 

heritage as: 



“our legacy from the past, 

what we live with today and 


recorded what by we both pass Council on to and the regional future” agencies 


though It explains the that planning it can system be divided or through into three 

legislation. broad categories: The level of protection provided 


associated • Tangible with heritage the asset. - assets Some such of the as buildings most 

important and historic are protected landscapes, and buried maintained remains, by 

the historic State as marine ‘Monuments features in and State areas Care of or 

Guardianship’. architectural Assets or historic of ‘special’ interest. significance Also related are 

objects in museum collections such as 

archaeology, art and archives. 

IMAGE: 

St Columb’s Cathedral on the Derry Walls 

Section 2. 






That is, 




Guardianship 


sports, music, dance, folklore, crafts, skills, 

knowledge and language. 



• Natural heritage - waterways, natural 

landscapes, woodlands, bogs, uplands, 

native wildlife, insects, plants, trees, birds 

and animals. 



That is, that part of the environment which 

has been shaped by the action of humans. 

This is often referred to as the ‘built heritage’ 

but includes heritage assets 1. such as historic 

landscapes, buried remains and marine 

features, as well as buildings. 

Museum artefacts, intangible and natural 

heritage are all equally important parts of our 

heritage, but their management, development 

and promotion are already covered by other 

Council strategies: 

IMAGE: 

‘Colmcille’, statue in 

St Columb’s Park. 

• The Arts and Culture Strategy has 

actions to sustainably develop our rich 

intangible heritage. 

• The Green Infrastructure Plan 2019 - 2032 

has actions to sustainably develop our rich 

Natural heritage. 

• The Museum & Heritage Service Strategic 

Plan and Tourism 2018 ~ 2025 Plan have 

actions relating to the conservation and use 

of our museum artefact’s and collections. 

Also, actions for the promotion and 

celebration of our built heritage across the 

council area. 

Built heritage is a key asset in the DCSDC 

Area and is also referenced in a number of 

Council strategies. The emerging Council Local 

Development Plan will also set out planning 

policies which will continue to afford protection 

to our District’s built Heritage. However, there 

is not yet an overarching strategy that ensures 

that this resource is understood, protected and 

used to its full potential. That is the purpose of 

this document. 

IMAGE: 

Camus Bridge on 

the Strule River. 

IMAGE: 

Verbal Arts Centre 

overlooking the Derry Walls 

8 

1. Heritage Assets: A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape 

9 

identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in 

planning decisions, because of its heritage interest




has Why a rich Does built heritage set within 


cross The border Historic city region, packed with 


Environment 


Way Matter? and the Causeway 


The historic environment is a key part 


circuit of our of place walls on which the island sets of a Ireland familiar and the 


buildings, backdrop utilised to our as museums, lives. It arts is often venues, our 

speciality historic retail landmarks hospitality that we premises, associate and 


throughout with, when the we year. think Beyond of this, our are city, many town, 


village, or rural area. Our heritage 



assets and features make us proud 

of our place and of its rich history 

and they help us to define how we 


heritage think of and, ourselves, across the even area, there if we are have 

stately 

not visited 

homes 

these 

such as 

sites 

Baronscourt, 

for a while. 

important 


historic Such features rural dwellings help and to community make where buildings. 


historic 

we live 

landscape 

unique, 

of 

in 

townland 

an increasingly 

boundaries, 

homogensied world. It is however 


make important this a very to unique point and out, important that while place. 

built heritage can be a valuable 


recorded economic by both cultural Council and environmental 

regional agencies 


resource it is also vulnerable - 


legislation. once lost The it is level gone of protection forever. provided 


associated It is well known with 2. the that asset. built Some heritage of the benefits most 

important our economy are through protected tourism and maintained and inward by 

the investment, State as and ‘Monuments our environment in State through Care or 

Guardianship’. the character it Assets brings of as ‘special’ well as significance a positive are 

contribution to mitigating climate change. The 

Council’s Tourism Plan points out that the 2013 

UK City of Culture brought a step change in 

visitor numbers and points out that ‘the current 

offering is strongest in relation to heritage and 

culture’. The Tourism Plan also notes that this is 

Section growing from a low base. 2. This means that there 

is a key opportunity to grasp in this area. 

While Heritage the has Historic also been Environment shown to benefit forms our 

health and to enhance our wellbeing, people 

a 

who 

key 

participate 

component 

in heritage 

of the 

activities have 

Working higher life satisfaction with stakeholders 

and improved mental 

and physical health. Investment 2. in tangible 

heritage protects and celebrates the character 

This of our plan region is focused and its upon people. ‘tangible Broadening heritage’ and 

more understanding specifically of upon our heritage the ‘historic can also environment’. be an 

That important is, tool to help develop tolerance and 

respect for all peoples and their cultures. 


Our Historic 

Environment 



Guardianship 

Derry City and Strabane District 

Council has a rich built heritage set 

‘Our within vision a stunning is for a landscape. place It is 

‘Our part of vision a cross is for border a place city region, 

packed with interesting historical 

sites linking the tourism routes of the 

Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway 








throughout the year. Beyond this, there are 

many settlements of high historic interest such 

as Strabane, Sion Mills, Newtownstewart 

and Eglinton. 

IMAGE: ‘Altinaghree Castle, Donemana’. 

The unlisted Altinaghree Castle, even though a ruin, such sites can still be of heritage importance. 

The District also boasts a rich 

industrial heritage and across 

the area, there are stately homes 

such as Baronscourt, important 

prehistoric sites, fine churches, and 

important historic rural dwellings 

and community buildings. 

All of these, in combination with the 

wider historic landscape of townland 

boundaries, designed gardens and 

marine features, help to make this a 

very unique and important place. 

IMAGE: 

Fleadh Cheoil 2013, 

Shipquay Street 

10 

2. See NI Heritage Statistics at www.niheritagedelivers.org 

11 

Tourism 2018~2025 a new way forward



SION STABLES, 

Credit: Emma Stewart Photography 

IMAGE: 

Newtownstewart Castle and Main Street 




through the planning system or through 







protected as Scheduled Historic Monuments, 

Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas. 

Areas of Townscape/ Village Character, 

Areas of Significant Archaeological Interest, 

Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest, 

and Local Landscape Policy Areas are protected 

through the Local Development Plan. Other 

assets such as sites and monuments, general 

industrial or defence heritage features or 

heritage assets of local interest are protected by 

general planning policies. 

21 Ship Wrecks 

5 Conservation Areas - Historic City, 

Magee, Clarendon Street, Sion Mills and 

Newtownstewart Conservation Area 

325 Defence Heritage Records 

33 Battle sites 

4,219 

Recorded 

Heritage Assets 

In The Council 

Area 

1479 Industrial Heritage Assets 

1 Area of Archaeological Potential 

132 Scheduled Historic Monuments 


blend of heritage assets and 

features. An analysis of these carried 

out in August 2022 highlights the 

following heritage assets * 1. 

(see overleaf). 

4 Areas of Townscape Character - 

Bonds Hill, Victoria Park, Culmore, Eglinton. 

8 Historic Parks and Gardens 

(registered) 

The diagram on page 13 (opposite) provides a 

snapshot of the extent and variety of heritage 

assets across the Council District. Further 

information relating to their classification and 

locations can be found at Appendix 3 of this 

Plan, which is available online @ 


0 Local Landscape 

Policy Areas (LLPA’s). 

14 Monuments in 

State Care/ Guardianship 

862 Registered Sites 

and Monuments 

1,268 Historic buildings worthy 

of record including 

680 Listed buildings’ 

12 *1. ’Please refer to the Historic Environment Map Viewer 

Source of Information; DfC Historic Environment Division, Derry Area Pan 

13 

“https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/services/historic-environment-map-viewer” 

2011 and Strabane Area Plan 1986-2001



IMAGE: 

Castle Gate, Derry Walls. 

The map (below) represents a highlight of the extensive range of heritage assets and features 

across the District. Appendix 4 of this Plan presents a comprehensive geographical mapping of all 

known heritage assets by designation, status and classification etc. across the Council area. These 

maps can be found @ www.derrystrabane.com/heritageplan 

Our heritage assets 

and features make 

us proud of our 

place and of 

its rich history. 

Legend 

Heritage Highlights 

Type 

Historic Graveyards 

Historic Parks & Gardens 

Heritage Highlight 

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 

International Appalachian Trail 

Derry City & Strabane 

District Council Area 

Heritage Highlighs 

1. Aghnahoo Fort, Killeter 

2. Castlederg Castle 

3. Baronscourt Crannog 

4. Derrywoone Castle 

5. Berysfort Standing Stone 

6. Harry Avery’s Castle 

7. Newtownstewart Castle 

8. Victoria Bridge Court Tomb 

9. Wilson Ancestral Home 

10. St Brecan’s Church 

11. The White Rocks Tomb 

12. Goles Alignment 

13. Carrickayne Prehistoric 

Landscape 

14. Strabane Canal 

15. Ervey Portal Tomb 

16. Ballygroll Prehistoric Complex 

17. Lumen Christi Mill/Tower 

18. Ebrington Fort 

19. White House Cairn 

And Holy Well 

20. Enagh Crannog & Tower 

21. Elagh Castle 

22. Culmore Fort 

23. Churchtown Portal Tomb 

24. Churchtown Wedge Tomb 

25. Brackfield Bawn 

26. Glenknock/Cloghole 

Portal Tomb 

27. Dunnalong Fort 

28. Derry Walls 

29. Loughash Wedge Tomb 

30. Clogherny Wedge Tomb 

Donegal 

Historic Parks & Gardens 

1. Barons Court 

2. Moyle House 

3. Holy Hill 

4. Beech Hill 

5. Ashbrook 

6. Brook Hall 

7. Boom Hall 

Historic Graveyards 

1. Pubble Old Cemetery 

2. Corrick Cemetery 

3. Camus Old Cemetery 

4. Urney Old Cemetery 

5. Leckpatrick Old Cemetery 

6. Donagheady Old Cemetery 

7. Straidarran Old Cemetery 

8. Cumber Old Cemetery 

9. Glendermott Old Cemetery 

10. Killea Old Cemetery 

11. Enagh Graveyard 

12. St Patrick’s Graveyard 

13. Magherakeel Graveyard 

Historic Towns (CA or ATC) 

1. Eglinton 

2. Sion Mills 

3. Newtownstewart 

Heritage Highlights in 

Derry City & Strabane 

District Council Area 

23 24 

2 

7 6 

5 

3 

1 

4 

2 

25 

8 

6 7 

12 

29 

5 

3 

13 

14 

9 

11 

30 

4 2 Strabane 

13 

3 

8 

Castlederg 3 

26 

1 

19 

10 

27 

21 

28 

17 

7 

18 

10 

9 

2 

6 

5 

22 

11 

20 

4 

Derry City 

15 

1 

16 

Causeway 

Coast & Glens 

Derry City 

& Strabane 

12 

1 

Fermanagh 

& Omagh 

14 

15




has Section a rich built heritage 2. set within 


cross Developing 

border city region, packed with 


tourism routes Heritage 

of the Wild Atlantic 



While the Historic Environment 

forms a key component of the 



last 

Council’s 

constructed 

overall 

in Europe. 

offering 

It features 

- with 

historic 

its 

buildings, contribution utilised already as museums, recognised 

arts venues, 


is in the council backdrop sponsored to a series of documents 

cultural events 

throughout 

- there is 

the 

no 

year. 

overarching 

Beyond this, 

strategy 

are many 


Mills, to ensure Newtownstewart, that this Eglinton, resource is 


understood, protected and used to 

its full potential. Developing such 

a dedicated document helps to 


heritage make sure and, that across this the area, potential there are can 


prehistoric be achieved, sites, fine and churches, that any and gaps important 


in provision are identified and 



addressed. 



Working with stakeholders we 

have agreed a vision for how we 



see heritage developing across the 


though Council the area. planning system or through 







Section 2. 






That is, 




Guardianship 



Vision: 

‘Our vision is for a place that values 

and understands its heritage and seeks 

to realise its full potential for the 

benefit of the whole community.’ 

Achieving the Vision 

The Circle of Heritage 

The ‘circle of heritage’ was developed as a 

concept in the early 2000’s . It shows how, by 

increasing effort in four linked areas a selfreinforcing 

impact can be achieved: 

1. Increasing our understanding of what 

heritage is in the Council area, and what 

is important about it, can enhance the 

value that we all place upon it. Increased 

understanding of its wider economic 

and social benefit will also increase its 

perceived value. 

From “enjoying” 

the historic environment, 

coming a thirst to want 

to understand. 

2. If we value heritage assets, then we are 

more likely to want to care for them, 

either as owners through maintenance, 

or, as a society through seeking planning 

regulations and agreeing to politicians 

voting to provide support. 

3. If we care for our heritage it will be in 

better condition and better presented. It 

will be more attractive to us, to visitors and 

to investors. We will all enjoy it more and it 

will bring more benefit to our society and 

to our economy. 

4. If we enjoy our heritage, and are proud 

of it, we are more likely to celebrate it 

through events and activities. These are 

likely to help spark our interest to find out 

more and to increase our understanding. 

If such a self-reinforcing circle of effort can be 

delivered in the Council area by all those with 

an interest in heritage, then, we would be well 

on the way to achieving our vision. 

By “understanding” 

the historic 

environment, 

people value it 

By “caring”for it 

they will help people 

enjoy it. 

By “valuing” it 

they will want to 

care for it. 

IMAGE: 

St Augustine’s Church, Derry Walls. 

16 

17 

https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/good-practice-guidance/understanding-your-heritage-guidance



IMAGE: 

Strabane Canal 




cross 

and 

border 

sustainable 

city region, packed with 



City and District 



‘Thriving prosperous 

Section 2. 

with equality of 

opportunity for all’. 





speciality Inclusive Strategic retail and Growth hospitality Plan 2017-2032 premises, and 






























That is, 




Guardianship 



Policy Context 

This plan seeks to operate within a 

context of regional and international 

best practice, including the UN 

Sustainable Development Goals, 

and as one of a number of plans and 

strategies aiming to support the 

Council’s Strategic Growth Plan 

2017-2032. 

The Growth Plan seeks to achieve a: 

‘Thriving prosperous and sustainable 

City and District with equality 

of opportunity for all’. 

The importance of heritage and its contribution 

to the environmental, economic and social 

wellbeing of the District is recognised in this 

plan. It highlights that heritage can: 

• Stimulate investment because the unique 

and adaptable places it provides can be a 

key attraction to both tourists and investors 

• Provide the sustainable resource of existing 

buildings whose reuse does not require the 

same amount of energy as new build and 

they are often very adaptable. (for example 

the Abercorn Shirt Factory redevelopment to 

apartments) 

• Provide an opportunity to ensure benefits 

can be delivered in both towns and rural 

areas as historic structures are found across 

the Council area 

It states that: 

“We are passionate about our built 

and natural heritage and sustainably 

enhancing our environment to 

develop a connected and vibrant city, 

town centres and rural areas”. 

The Plan sets down long term objectives under 

three headings environmental, economic and 

social wellbeing. The key actions relevant to 

heritage are: 

1. Develop and promote our heritage assets- 

Particularly managing the Walled City to 

realise its full potential to the standard 

of a world heritage site- through capital 

investment, preservation and a 

marketing programme. 

2. Support the development of key tourism, 

arts, heritage and cultural capital projects, 

that will have a significant impact on the 

delivery of the Tourism and Arts and Culture 

Strategies including the completion of 

a scoping exercise on the feasibility of a 

significant new tourism/visitor attraction. 

3. Prepare a development and conservation 

spatial framework and masterplan for both 

Derry City centre & Riverfront and Strabane 

town centre to provide high quality design, 

regeneration and investment. 

4. Develop a heritage/conservation-led 

masterplan and renewal action plan for the 

village of Sion Mills and other settlements. 

5. Protect and promote our natural and built 

heritage assets through the establishment 

of multi-sectoral heritage partnerships, 

heritage education programs, skills 

specialisms development and integration 

with our tourism product offering. 

18 

19



IMAGE: 

Castle Park, Castlederg. 



a stunning Castlederg landscape. Castle, Boomhall, It is Riverine part of and a 

cross St Columb’s border Park. city region, packed with 





6. Develop our parks and green spaces including 

major regeneration and enhancement schemes 

in Ballyarnet Country Park, Culmore District Park, 

7. Work with our cultural partners to use engagement 

with arts and cultural heritage as a means of 

improving the health and wellbeing of our citizens. 

The Council’s emerging Local Development Plan 

2032 The ‘Walled will provide City’ hosts the spatial the most policies complete to enable the 

delivery circuit of of walls the on Strategic the island Growth of Ireland Plan’s and outcome the for 

the last District’s constructed built in heritage Europe. It in features a way which historic not only This plan is focused upon ‘tangible heritage’ and 

affords buildings, its utilised protection, as museums, but also promotes more specifically upon the ‘historic environment’. 

arts venues, sustainable 

development. That is, 

speciality retail Furthermore and hospitality the premises, LDP an and important 

tool is the which backdrop will assist to a series in delivery of cultural of the events objectives and 

actions • Intangible heritage - such as our customs, 

throughout contained the year. within Beyond the Heritage this, are many Plan. 


In Mills, addition Newtownstewart, this, there Eglinton, are also significant built This forms a diverse and unique 

heritage and Castlederg. actions within many of Council’s supporting 

thematic policy documents including: 


• Tourism 2018~2025 A New Level 

The of District Ambition can also boast a rich industrial 

• heritage Arts and and, Culture across Strategy the area, there 2019-2024 are 

• stately Museum homes & such Heritage as Baronscourt, Service Strategic important Plan 

prehistoric 2018 – 2023 sites, fine churches, and important 

• historic Green rural Infrastructure dwellings and Plan community 2019 – 2032 buildings. 

• All of Local these, Community in combination Growth with Plans the and wider Village 

historic Cluster landscape Plans (8 of DEA’s) townland boundaries, 

• The Council’s emerging Local Development 

designed Plan 2032 gardens and marine features, help to 

• make DCSDC this a Climate very unique Change and Adaptation 

important place. 

Plan 2020-2025 


The recorded action by plan both jointly Council produced and regional in 2019 agencies by the Inner 

City over Trust, many DCSDC, years and DfC some and have other been partners protected following 

the though ‘Unlocking the planning Properity system Through or through Heritage-led 

Regeneration’ legislation. The conference level of protection is also very provided relevant. 


80 associated key actions with relating the asset. to the Some historic of the environment 

most 

have important been are identified protected in these and maintained plans and a by number are 

well the State advanced. as ‘Monuments This plan does in State not Care intend or to add to this 

complexity Guardianship’. but Assets to ensure of ‘special’ that the significance effort this are represents 

is reviewed, in the context of a heritage plan and that 

any gaps are identified and addressed. 

To this end all relevant actions from the other plans 

Section 2. 




Guardianship 



To this end all relevant actions from 

the other plans have been included in 

Appendix 5 which can be found 

@ www.derrystrabane.com/ 

heritageplan. They have been 

organised relative to the actions of this 

heritage plan. This makes clear where 

existing priorities, developed though 

public consultation, can be built upon 

and supported by the heritage sector in 

the delivery of this plan. 

20 

21



For example the Walled City is identified 

as a key draw in the Tourism Plan and it is, 

as a result, a heritage asset which is given 

significance in the Council’s Strategic Growth 

Plan. Developing further the potential of the 

Walled City is also recognised as a priority 

within the context of the Derry ~ Londonderry 

& Strabane City Deal formally announced in 

February 2021. Supporting efforts to resource 

this will also help to deliver the potential that 

this heritage asset holds for society. To do that 

effectively, however, the asset also needs to be 

well understood, well maintained,managed and 

well marketed. That requires cooperation and 

investment across a range of heritage outputs. 

Section 3. 

Our Heritage Plan - 

8 Ways To 

Make A Difference 

This diagram highlights the 8 ways 

to make a difference. This highlights 

the 8 key objectives considered 

necessary if we are to make the most 

of Derry City and Strabane District 

Council area’s heritage potential 

and set up such a self-reinforcing 

process. The following pages 

highlight a series of actions for the 

next five years to help us achieve 

these objectives in partnership with 

heritage stakeholders. As explained 

earlier, Appendix 5 shows how many 

of these are already being delivered 

through the actions of separate civic 

and other related plans & strategies. 

Understanding 

Our 

Heritage 

1. Increase our 

knowledge and 

awareness by 

promoting the 

appreciation 

and enjoyment 

of the historic 

environment in 

Council Area to 

reinforce a sense of 

place. 

2. Collect data 

on the historic 

environment to 

inform decision 

making. 

Protecting 

Our 


3. Ensure appropriate 

designation 

(protection) of 

heritage assets 

across the council 

area. 

4. Develop best 

practice in the 

conservation and 

management of our 

built heritage. 

5. Tackle heritage at 

risk in the Council 

area. 

Sustainably 

Developing 

Our 


6. Sustainably 

develop, 

encourage, and 

deliver, heritage 

led regeneration 

schemes that 

demonstrate 

the benefit of 

investment in 

the historic 

environment across 

the district. 

7. Encourage the 

sustainable use 

of heritage assets 

that demonstrate 

long term viability. 

Celebrating 

Our 


8. Increase 

participation 

and engagement 

with the historic 

environment in the 

Council area. 

22 23



Understanding 

Our Heritage 

IMAGE: 

DUNNALONG DIG 

Courtesy of 

DCSDC Museum & 

Heritage Service 

collections 

IMAGE: 

First Derry Presbyterian Church 

Objective 1: 

Increase our 

knowledge and 

awareness by 

promoting the 

appreciation and 

enjoyment of the 

historic environment 

in the Council Area to 

reinforce a sense of 

place. 

Key Actions 

1.1-Engage with schools/ 

younger generation 

to develop material 

and activities that will 

increase their awareness 

of local built heritage. 

Target 1: Develop up to 

three school projects with 

partners over the plan 

period. 

Target 2: Develop a 

project to increase youth 

engagement with the 

historic environment over 

the plan period. 

1.2 Work with partners 

to produce information, 

deliver seminars and 

publicise events to 

increase wider public 

awareness of built 

heritage ensuring 

increased access and 

inclusivity opportunities 

for all audiences across 

the Council District. 

Target 1: Reinforce reach 

of existing activity about 

the historic environment 

through improved 

coordination and 

marketing. 

Target 2: Encourage the 

development of seminars 

or activities in under 

researched areas. 

1.3 Work with partners 

to increase public 

awareness of the 

practical benefits 

provided by the historic 

environment to the 

Council District and wider 

NW Region. 

Target 1: Compile 

statistics and case 

studies that demonstrate 

the benefits of our assets 

and make them publicly 

available online. 

Target 2: Collaborate 

with other Councils 

and national heritage 

bodies to develop at 

least one project that 

demonstrates this 

potential over the plan 

period. 

1.4 Convene & coordinate 

a DCSDC district-wide 

heritage stakeholder 

group during the plan 

period with the purpose 

of coordinating the 

delivery of the Heritage 

Plan and promoting 

greater engagement and 

communication within 

the sector. 

Target 1: Establish a 

terms of reference, issue 

invitations and create 

a forward schedule of 

meetings to convene 

twice yearly. 

Objective 2: 

Key Actions 

Collect data on 

heritage to inform 

decision making and 

promote awareness. 

2.1 Carry out archaeological 

research to inform wider decision 

making. 

Target 1: Work with partners to 

identify funding opportunities 

and key areas for archaeological 

investigation & interpretation. 

Target 2: Department for 

Communities Historic Environment 

Division to ensure that 

archaeological surveys which have 

been undertaken in the Council 

area are indicated by a new layer 

on its Historic Environment Map 

Viewer by the end of the plan 

period and that associated reports 

are publicly accessible. 

2.2 Carry out heritage audits of 

District Electoral Areas to provide 

accessible and comprehensive 

summaries of the heritage 

assets and potential to local 

communities. These should include 

an understanding of the amount 

of rural vernacular buildings that 

remain. 

Target 1: Complete 3 audits by end 

of the plan period. 

2.3 Ensure that relevant heritage 

data compiled as part of this 

plan is publicly available online 

and accessible to all so that 

opportunities to utilise and explore 

technology to showcase and 

animate heritage sites and assets 

are grasped. 

Target 1: Ensure outputs of local 

heritage projects are available 

digitally and are easily and 

creatively accessible. 

Target 2: DCSDC to engage with 

Heritage Council to add data 

on local heritage designations 

to their all island Heritage Map 

Viewer www.heritagemaps.ie 

(NI reginal designations are 

already uploaded) and to review/ 

update as appropriate. 

24 25



Protecting 

our Heritage 

IMAGE: 

CONSERVATION 

Courtesy of 

DCSDC Museum & 

Heritage Service 

collections 

Objective 3: 

Key Actions 

Objective 4: 

Key Actions 

Appropriate 

designation and 

protection of heritage 

assets across the 

Council area 

3.1 Built Heritage will be 

protected on an ongoing basis by 

consideration of these matters in 

relevant Planning applications, 

Listed Building Consent 

applications, Conservation Area 

Consent applications, etc 

Target 1 Council’s Planning 

Department to apply planning 

policies and take Enforcement 

action, where appropriate. 

3.2: To prepare and then 

implement the new Local 

Development Plan (LDP) 

including the new suite of historic 

environment planning policies for 

this District, as well as any sitespecific 

proposals and local built 

heritage designations. 

Target 2 Completion and 

adoption of LDP. 

3.3 Ensure the relevant regional 

heritage designations in the 

Council area are up to date. 

Target 3 DfC to consider listing/ 

scheduling queries and designate 

as appropriate. 

Develop best practice 

in conservation and 

management of our 

built heritage. 

4.1 Support and 

encourage the 

undertaking 

of appropriate 

conservation 

management 

plans (which 

includes 

considering 

the impact of 

climate change) 

for heritage 

sensitive sites 

and properties 

across the 

District, in 

conjunction 

with key 

stakeholders. 

Target 1: 

Achieve the 

delivery of at 

least 3 plans 

over the plan 

period. 

4.2 Encourage 

property owners 

to maintain 

historic 

properties to a 

high standard 

through 

awareness 

raising and 

publications. 

Target 1: 

Support the 

delivery of 

an annual 

maintenance 

awareness 

programme. 

4.3 Council, 

Government 

departments 

and 

stakeholders 

undertake 

best practice 

in the care of 

their historic 

properties/ 

assets. 

Target 1: Sign 

up to the 

best practice 

principles of 

the Protocol for 

the Care of the 

Government 

Historic Estate. 

(https://www. 

communities-ni.gov. 

uk/sites/default/ 

files/publications/ 

doe/protocol-for-thecare-of-governmenthistoric-estatejune-2012.pdf) 

4.4 Promote 

the use of 

accredited 

heritage skills 

in the design 

and delivery of 

relevant capital 

and other 

projects. 

Target 1: 

Council and 

stakeholders to 

promote the use 

of accredited 

conservation 

specialists were 

appropriate to 

work on their 

historic assets. 

4.5 Identify 

suitable funding 

to deliver 

dedicated 

training 

workshops to 

support the 

development 

of traditional 

skills within the 

Council Area. 

Target 1: Secure 

funding and 

deliver up to 

3 workshops 

during the plan 

period. 

4.6 Encourage 

and promote 

the heritage 

sector to 

undertake 

climate change 

risk analysis for 

heritage assets 

and to realise 

opportunities 

to reduce 

the negative 

impacts of 

climate change 

though good 

maintenance, 

re-use, and 

retrofitting. 

Target 1: HED 

to produce 

guidance, 

make publicly 

available and 

work with 

Council to raise 

stakeholder 

awareness & 

participation. 

Target 2: 

Council and HED 

to undertake 

up to 3 climate 

risk analyses on 

its own assets 

during the plan 

period. 

26 

27



IMAGE: 

BOOM HALL STABLES 

Courtesy of Alastair 

Coey Architects 

IMAGE: 

Pictured L-R at the Maintenance Matters 

Protecting our Historic Buildings and 

Climate Resilience conference held on 

24th&25th February 2020 are; 

Rebecca Bain, Vanessa Glindmeier and 

Cathy Burns. 

Objective 5: 

Key Actions 

Objective 7: 

Key Actions 

Tackling heritage 

at risk in the 

Council area. 

5.1 Continue to monitor and review 

Heritage at Risk (HAR) and liaise 

with local and regional partners 

and Department for Communities 

Historic Environment Division. 

Target 1: Heritage sector to 

propose monuments and buildings 

to Ulster Architectural Heritage 

to be added to the record. 

Target 2: Produce an annual 

summary of progress toward 

saving and reusing properties on 

the list in the Council area. 

5.2 Assist and advise owners 

of properties which feature on 

the HARNI in terms of potential 

solutions to the particular issues 

faced. 

Target 1: Produce literature 

providing information/key points 

of contact, and make 

available online. 

5.3 Work collaboratively to find 

solutions to heritage at risk. 

Target 1: Council & Historic 

Environment Division to jointly set 

up a working group to consider 

solutions for heritage at risk in the 

Council area. 

Encourage the 

sustainable re-use of 

heritage assets that 

demonstrate long 

term viability. 

7.1 Work with partners to highlight 

and promote that reusing historic 

buildings is an important part 

of the District’s response to the 

climate emergency – (reduce, 

re-use, recycle) and that good 

maintenance can significantly 

improve performance in advance 

of retrofit. 

Target 1: Produce materials/ 

seminars/publicity for heritage 

professionals/property owners on 

this subject matter within the plan 

period. 

7.2 Work with partners to illustrate 

examples of best practice in 

heritage re-use, highlighting the 

environmental, economic and 

social benefits. 

Target 1: Produce relevant 

materials/seminars/publicity on 

this subject matter within the plan 

period. 

7.3 Work in partnership to 

encouraging greater links 

between assets in order to 

improve their long-term 

sustainability. 

Target 1: Develop and promote 

collaborative heritage initiatives 

across areas such as marketing, 

business development, tourism/art 

&culture and regeneration. 

Sustainably Develop 

Our Heritage 

Objective 6: 

Sustainably Develop, 

encourage, and 

deliver, heritage 

led regeneration 

schemes that 

demonstrate the 

benefit of investment 

in the historic 

environment across 

the District. 

Key Actions 

6.1 Work with 

partners to 

highlight economic 

potential in the 

Council Area – in 

terms of promoting 

how heritage 

can attract more 

interest and bring 

better returns. 

Target 1: Aim to 

produce materials/ 

seminars/publicity 

on this issue by the 

end of the plan 

period. 

6.2 Work with 

partners to scope, 

identify, secure 

funding and deliver 

heritage-based 

area regeneration 

projects across 

themes such as 

historic buildings, 

streetscapes, 

archaeology etc. 

Target 1: Design, 

secure funding and 

deliver (subject to 

funding) 1 large and 

2 medium projects 

over the plan period 

that align with this 

objective. 

6.3 Work with 

partners to 

unlock tourism 

and well-being 

potential through 

the delivery of 

improved access 

to, and the 

presentation of, 

heritage sites 

(including heritage 

trails etc). 

Target 1: To identify 

and scope potential 

and design, secure 

funding and deliver 

(subject to funding) 

1 large and 2 

medium projects 

over the plan period 

that align with this 

potential. 

6.4 Provide 

heritage advice/ 

guidance/ 

signposting 

to partners 

considering taking 

forward potential 

heritage-led 

regeneration 

projects. 

Target 1: Pilot a 

‘heritage clinic’ 

potentially to be 

run bi-annual / 

annual basis – 

where local experts, 

could provide 

practical advice 

and inspiration for 

people considering 

development. 

6.5 Actively work 

to identify and 

realise funding 

opportunities for 

relevant heritage 

projects in the 

Council area. 

Target 1: Work 

collaboratively 

with the heritage 

stakeholder group, 

funders and other 

relevant parties to 

realise any funding 

opportunities that 

arise during the 

plan period. 

Celebrating 

our Heritage 

Objective 8: 

Increasing 

participation and 

engagement with the 

historic environment 

in the Council area. 

Key Actions 

8.1 Increase and develop heritage 

events. 

Target 1: Identify & secure 

suitable funding opportunities to 

promote heritage venues, spaces 

and features within the wider 

civic events programme where 

applicable. 

Target 2: Design an annual 

programme of heritage events 

and events at historic sites 

in partnership with Council 

Departments, local heritage and 

community groups and build up 

and promote the local programme 

for European Heritage Open Days, 

Heritage Week and Irish Walled 

Towns day. 

8.2 Encourage, promote and 

improve access to historic sites. 

Target 1: Work with partners 

in tourism sector and heritage 

organisations to develop 

initiatives designed to raise 

awareness, improve physical 

access and develop interpretation 

opportunities to encourage 

visitors. 

8.3 Work with partners to promote 

the use of digital technology to 

enable communities to engage 

with their local heritage. 

Target 1: Identify suitable funding 

to develop 2 digital local heritage 

projects during the plan period. 

28 

UAH have been supported by HED since 1993 to compile and maintain a 

Heritage at Risk Register for Northern Ireland 

29



IMAGE: 

The Tower Museum 






































Section 2. 






That is, 




Guardianship 



Section 4. 

Delivery 

How can we achieve this? 

This Plan sets out a vision for how 

the potential of heritage within the 

District Council area can be achieved 

with clear actions for the next 5 

years. The aim is that these actions 

will be delivered as a partnership 

between heritage stakeholders, 

coordinated by Derry City and 

Strabane District Council. 

Whilst there are currently no confirmed funding 

sources for the targets that have been set 

out, partners are working to identify where 

potential funding opportunities might exist, 

including supporting the capacity of partner 

organisations, so as to ensure their early 

delivery. The current Covid-19 pandemic may 

present challenges in the availability of funding 

sources in the short term. Notwithstanding such 

challenges, we remain committed to use this 

Plan as a framework for heritage development 

in the Council area during the Plan period. 

There is also a recognition that some initiatives 

that may not be necessarily grant-dependent, 

and instead have the potential to link to 

or enhance existing heritage policies and 

projects already being managed or developed. 

Partners will seek to ensure that where such 

opportunities exist, they will work together to 

achieve this wider potential. 

Partnership 

The development of this Plan 

involved engagement with a range 

of heritage stakeholders from across 

this District and beyond, through the 

delivery of focused workshops during 

the period 2019 to 2020. 

Its success will be dependent upon a continuing 

and effective partnership between Council, 

Department for Communities, heritage 

organisations and other stakeholders. 

As part of this, engagement with local 

community groups will be an important element 

in terms of realising the value and potential of 

heritage within neighborhoods and in scoping 

potential projects/initiatives. Actions within 

this Plan already recognises the value and 

importance of promoting community heritage 

initiatives in conjunction with local heritage 

organisations and community partners. 

In addition to this, the establishment of a 

District Heritage Stakeholder Group will create 

the opportunity for all stakeholders to convene 

on a twice yearly basis to discuss not only the 

progress of the Heritage Plan, but to use the 

grouping as an effective vehicle for the heritage 

sector to communicate and collaborate on 

other common themes. 

30 

31



Monitoring 

& Evaluation 

A monitoring and evaluation 

framework will be developed by 

Council against the proposed actions 

that are contained within this 

Plan. The framework will assist in 

tracking the progress of projects and 

initiatives. It will be presented to the 

twice-yearly Council co-ordinated 

Heritage Stakeholder Group for 

input and review. This approach 

not only provides the opportunity to 

track progress, but also to reassess 

and make the changes where 

necessary, and to reflect changing 

operational, legislative and funding 

environments. 

The Council’s 


Stakeholder Group 

The Heritage Delivery Partnership 

was established in June 2019, as an 

advisory group to provide advice on the 

preparation of the District’s first Heritage 

Plan. It will now be renamed as the 

District Heritage Stakeholder Group to 

act as the key body to help coordinate 

and deliver on the actions of the plan. 

Membership 

Membership of the Group will be drawn 

from organisations in the historic 

environment sector and other parties 

with an interest in protecting and 

sustainably developing built heritage 

across the Council area. It includes 

representatives from: 

• Local Government 

• Government Agencies 

• Educational Institutions 

• Heritage Organisations/Groups 

• Community Groups 

The current list of members of the 

Heritage Delivery Partnership is available 

in Appendix 1. All of these will be invited 

to join the stakeholder group. This list 

is by no means exhaustive, and if you 

represent a group which you consider 

should be part of the Heritage Delivery 

Stakeholder group please write to: 

Maura Fitzpatrick 

Regeneration Section 

Environment & 

Regeneration Department 

Derry City and Strabane District Council 

98 Strand Road 

Derry~Londonderry 

BT48 7NN 

Phone: 028 7125 3253 

email: heritage@derrystrabane.com 

Appendix 1 

Stakeholders 

and Partners 

The preparation of the Heritage 

Plan has been delivered through 

the Heritage Delivery Partnership, 

made up of a range of public bodies, 

agencies and community/voluntary 

organisations. 

Government Agencies 

DfC Historic Environment Division 

Tourism NI 

Government Advisory Bodies 

Heritage Council 

Historic Buildings Council Ministerial 

Advisory Group for Architecture and the Built 

Environment 

Historic Monuments Council 

NI Museums Council 

Education Institutions 

Ulster University 

Heritage organisations/groups 

Architectural Heritage Fund 

Boomhall Trust 

Bready & District Ulster Scots Development 

Association 

Castlederg/Killeter Heritage Centre 

City Centre Initiative 

Foyle Civic Trust 

Foyle River Gardens 

Friends of the Derry Walls 

Gortin Historic Society 

Greater Shantallow Area Partnership 

Heritage Council 

Historic Houses Association 

Inner City Trust 

National Lottery Heritage Fund 

National Trust 

Newbuildings and District Archaeology and 

Historic Society 

Newtownstewart Development Association 

NI Environment Link 

NI Museums Council 

North West Archaeology and Historic Society 

RAPID 

Rural Action 

Rural Network NI 

Sion Mills Buildings Preservation Trust 

Strabane History Society 

The Honourable, the Irish Society 

Ulster Architectural Heritage 

Urban Villages 

Walled City Partnership 

West Tyrone History Society 

32 33




Appendix has a rich built heritage 2 set within 


Legislation cross border city region, and packed with 


Policy 

tourism routes 

Context 

of the Wild Atlantic 


Legislation Coastal Route. & Policy Context 

The preservation, protection and 


enhancement 

circuit of walls on the 

of 

island 

our local 

of Ireland 

physical 

and the 

historic last constructed environment in Europe. It is features fundamental historic 


to speciality the framework retail and hospitality and apparent premises, and in 

the backdrop to a series of cultural events 

existing policy and legislation. There 




and 


associated policies relevant to 

is a wide range of regional legislation 

the protection and enhancement of 

our historic environment. Outlined 

below 

The District 

are 

can 

the 

also 

key 

boast 

relevant 

a rich industrial 

national 


and stately regional homes such legislation as Baronscourt, and important 


policies. This Appendix outlines 


local All of these, council in combination wide polices with the which wider 


have a responsibility for the historic 

environment. 



Legislation 



Relevant over many UK years and and NI legislation some have pertaining been protected to 

the though Historic the planning Environment system is contained or through within the 

Planning legislation. Act The (NI) level 2011, of protection Part 4 Chapter provided 1 Listed 


Buildings and Conservation Areas and Part 8 


which refers to Further Provisions as to Historic 


Buildings. the State as Current ‘Monuments legislation in State for the Care protection or 

of Guardianship’. archaeology Assets and monuments of ‘special’ significance is the are 

Historic Monuments and Archaeology Objects 

(NI) Order 1995. Monuments may also be 

protected by taking them into State Care or by 

Scheduling them for protection. 

Section 2. 

The protection of historic buildings and 

structures by listing, is only one part of a suite 

of controls that helps the Department for 

Communities While the Historic and Local Environment Councils influence forms and 

manage the historic environment. Important 


historic structures may be more appropriately 

protected Working as with Monuments stakeholders in State Care, 

Scheduled Historic Monuments, or as part of 

Conservation This plan is focused Areas. upon ‘tangible heritage’ and 


Other That is, controls guide planning decisions 

that affect historic structures within Areas 

of • Townscape Intangible Character, heritage - Areas such as of Village our customs, 

Character, and Local Landscape Policy Areas. 


Regional Policy 


Draft Programme for Government 

Guardianship 

Framework 2016-2021 (Northern 

Ireland Executive 2016) 



Sets out the NI Executive ambitions to address 

the big issues facing our society with a new 

focus on people rather than actions. It has 

moved away from the traditional target driven 

programme to being outcomes focused. There 

are 14 strategic outcomes supported by 42 

indicators. Although not specifically mentioned 

within the document, the heritage sector can 

contribute directly to all the strategic outcomes. 

The Regional Development Strategy 

2035 (Department for Regional 

Development, 2010) 

Is the overarching strategic planning framework 

for Northern Ireland providing a long term 

perspective on the future development 

of Northern Ireland up to 2035. The RDS 

provides regional guidance to direct policy 

in relation to the economy, society and the 

environment set within a spatial planning 

framework. It sets the context to direct policy 

and development decisions in order to achieve 

sustainable development throughout the region. 

It recognises the importance of the built and 

natural environment and how conserving it 

can have benefits to health and wellbeing, 

addressing social problems and improving 

environmental quality. 

This is reflected in Policies RG11: Conserve, 

protect and, where possible, enhance our built 

heritage and our natural environment. 

This policy further recognizes the significance 

of the built heritage as an asset and the 

contribution it makes to the environment, 

society and the economy. RG11 sets out that for 

the built heritage in particular it is important to: 

• Identify, protect and conserve the built 

heritage, including archaeological sites and 

monuments and historic buildings; 

• Identify, protect and conserve the character 

and built heritage assets within cities towns 

and villages, and; 

• Maintain the integrity of built heritage 

assets, including historic landscapes 

The RDS also regards built heritage as a key 

marketing, tourism and recreational asset that, 

if managed in a sustainable way, can make 

a valuable contribution to the environment, 

economy and society. 

The Strategic Planning Policy 

Statement for Northern Ireland 

(SPPS) Planning for Sustainable 

Development (Department of the 

Environment 2015) 

The SPPS is a statutory document and provides 

a new set of overarching core planning 

principles to underpin the delivery of planning 

reform as set out in the Planning Act (Northern 

Ireland) 2011. One of these core principles is 

“Preserving and improving the Built and Natural 

Environment.” 

It recognises: 

• Our region has a rich and diverse 

archaeological and built heritage as well 

as distinctive and beautiful landscapes, this 

plays a critical role in supporting the local 

economy 

• This must be sustainably managed 

in accordance with the Executive’s 

commitment to preserve and improve the 

built and natural environment, this requires 

an integrated approach and collective 

responsibility. 

Regional Strategic Objectives for archaeology 

and built heritage are to: 

• Secure the protection, conservation and 

where possible, the enhancement of our built 

and archaeological heritage; 

• Promote sustainable development and 

environmental stewardship with regard to 

our built and archaeological heritage; and 

• Deliver economic and community benefit 

through conservation that facilitates 

productive use of built heritage assets 

34 

35



Derry and City opportunities and Strabane for investment, district whilst 

has safeguarding a rich built their heritage historic or set architectural within 

integrity. 



These strategic objectives have informed 


regional strategic planning policy which must 

be tourism taken into routes account of in the the Wild preparation Atlantic 

of Way the Local and the Development Causeway Plans and in the 

determination Coastal Route. of planning applications. These 

policies relate to development which would 

affect The ‘Walled World City’ Heritage hosts Sites, the most Archaeology, complete 

Historic circuit of Parks, walls Gardens on the island Demesnes, 

of Ireland and the 

Conservation last constructed Areas, in Europe. Listed Buildings, It features Areas historic of 


Townscape Character, Non-designated Heritage 


Assets and Enabling Development. 




Project Mills, Newtownstewart, Ireland 2040 Eglinton, – National 


Planning Framework 

Project Ireland 2040 is the Irish Government’s 

overarching The District can strategy also boast for the a social, rich industrial economic 

and heritage cultural and, development across the area, of Ireland. there are The 

National stately homes Planning such Framework as Baronscourt, provides important 

opportunity prehistoric sites, to establish fine churches, a policy and framework important 

that historic supports rural dwellings a joined-up and approach community to buildings. deliver 


coordinated growth in the border region. 


National Policy Objective 50 sets out “In 

co-operation designed gardens with relevant and marine Departments features, help to 

in make Northern this a Ireland, very unique ensuring and important effective place. 

management of shared landscapes, heritage, 

water Heritage catchments, assets across habitats, the district and species have been 

and recorded trans-boundary by both Council issues and in relation regional to agencies 

environmental 

over many years 

policy.” 

and some have been protected 



There 

is roughly 

is the 

dependent 

opportunity 

upon 

to see 

the 

heritage 

importance 

as a key 

driver. associated with the asset. Some of the most 




Key Local Plans 

Derry City and Strabane 

District 

Section 

Council 

2. 

Inclusive 

While the 

Strategic 

Historic Environment 

Growth Plan 

forms 

2017-2023 



The Inclusive Strategic Growth plan aims to 

improve social, economic and environmental 

wellbeing This plan is and focused long term upon objectives ‘tangible heritage’ for the and 

Council more specifically area and upon it is recognized the ‘historic that environment’. heritage 

transcends That is, all three pillars. This is discussed in 

detail on page 17. 


Derry City and Strabane District 


Council Local Development Plan 

2032. 14 Monuments (LDP) in State Care/ 

Guardianship 

The LDP Draft Plan Strategy 



Derry City and Strabane District Council 

published the LDP draft Plan Strategy (dPS) on 

Monday 2nd December 2019. The Council’s draft 

Plan Strategy is part of the Local Development 

Plan process. The LDP draft Plan Strategy sets 

out the Council’s vision, objectives and strategic 

planning policies in relation to the development 

and use of land in the City and District to 2032. 

Other Relevant Documents 

Treasure the Past Enrich the 

Future- Heritage Delivers Produced by 

the Department for Communities on behalf of 

an alliance of heritage organizations March 

2018. 

This document focuses on three main themes as 

the way of helping to achieve the outcomes of 

the Programme for Government. By protecting 

and investing in our heritage we can create 

a better future because it 1. Supports our 

prosperity, 2. Strengthens our society and 3. 

Shapes our character. 

*Historic Environment Stakeholder 

Group Delivery Plan. 

The Delivery Plan sets out the vision and activity 

for the Programme for Government period, it 

sets out key actions to deliver on the outcomes 

of the PFG Key actions from the Delivery Plan 

which the Heritage Plan will directly help to 

deliver locally include: 

• Engagement with Council and Councillorsto 

embed the power of heritage to 

support council aims, input to Community 

Plans, Councillor capacity development, 

commenting on planning applications, 

supporting the Conservation Officer Network 

and Developing a Heritage Development 

Officer Network. 

• Build on and extend heritage audits as 

a key stage for data collation to support 

understanding. 

• Demonstrate the power of heritage- led 

regeneration. 

• Complete and implement a skills 

development plan. 

• Deliver increased community and economic 

value through state care monuments. 

• Develop a focused programme of work to 

use heritage to support well-being. 

• Develop an action plan for a greater 

percentage of new housing units to reuse 

existing buildings. 

Consolidate information on heritage assets, 

events and activities and support for activities 

to join up further. 

Heritage Ireland 2030 - 

A Framework for Heritage 

February 2022. 

Heritage Ireland 2030 is the Irish Government’s 

framework for the protection, conservation, 

promotion and management of Ireland’s 

heritage for the next decade and beyond 

– which aligns to the National Planning 

Framework. It recognises the diverse natural, 

built and cultural heritage which pertains across 

the island of Ireland. It is therefore essential 

to work on a cooperative cross-border basis in 

protecting and promoting our heritage assets to 

fully realise their potential. 

36 

*www.niheritagedelivers.org 

37




has Notes a rich built heritage set within 




































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DERRY Derry City CITY and & Strabane STRABANE district 

DISTRICT has a rich COUNCIL built heritage set within 












buildings, a vision utilised for as museums, our arts future venues, 







Guardianship 





















Section 2. 






That is, 






This information is available upon request in a number of 

formats including large print, Braille, PDF, audio formats 

(CD, MP3, DAISY) and minority languages. 

For further information on alternative formats please contact 

T: 028 71 253253 or equality@derrystrabane.com 

40

Heritage Plan 2022-2027

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