Landscape Protection Policy Context

Our Borough has a rich diversity of contrasting landscapes, which combine to provide a unique resource of significant environmental and scenic quality, as well as being important economic, recreational and cultural assets. An example of this diversity is the impressive setting of Metropolitan Newtownabbey situated along the western shore of Belfast Lough, with the Carrickfergus Escarpment to the east and the Belfast Hills to the south east. This contrasts with the flatter, more open countryside to the west of our Borough that culminates with the shoreline to Lough Neagh and the more exposed upland area of Drumadarragh Hill to the north. The aim of this policy is to ensure that the visual amenity, local character and distinctiveness afforded by our Borough's landscape resource and its associated features, is properly considered in assessing development proposals. It also aims to protect those distinctive landscapes within our Borough, which are particularly sensitive to change due to their quality, features and low capacity to absorb new development.