Belfast·LDP Plan Strategy 2035 (adopted 2023)·Page 269·10.4.4
Regional Seascape Character and Protection
Coastal areas must be protected to safeguard distinctive habitats and support climate change adaptation. The Regional Seascape Character Assessment identifies Belfast Harbour as a seascape character area defined by port, airport, commercial and industrial uses alongside nature conservation assets.
The RDS also states that coastal areas need to be protected to safeguard against loss of distinctive habitats and to help adaptation to environmental/climate change. The SPPS aims to protect the undeveloped coast from inappropriate development. The NIEA published the Regional Seascape Character Assessment of Northern Ireland (NIEA, 2014) to provide a strategic understanding of different areas of regional seascape character along the entire Northern Ireland coast. The Assessment defines 'Belfast Harbour' as a seascape character area, which generally relates to the portion of Belfast Lough and adjoining lands within the city council area. The key characteristics of the seascape area are generally founded on the port, airport and associated commercial and industrial uses, as well as the important nature conservation assets. The identified forces for change in the regional seascape character assessment include further industrial, commercial and airport-
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