Settlement hierarchy justification

The four settlements within the plan area have been designated based on their role, services and facilities available and their potential for accommodating development in accordance with the RDS' spatial framework. The majority of the plan area consists of a single contiguous built up urban area, which continues into Lisburn and Castlereagh to the south and east and Antrim and Newtownabbey to the north. A small landscape wedge separates metropolitan Belfast from Holywood to the north east of the plan Area, whilst Edenderry, Hannahstown and Loughview remain distinct settlements within the plan area boundary.