Places for People A sustainable planning guide for councillors Causeway Coast and Glens Contents Introduction Your Local Council .........................................................................................................................................................................................................04 Northern Ireland is in Effectively, your council is now Background ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................06 transition to new forms of responsible for making decisions Sustainable Development ................................................................................................................................................................................... 08 that will shape the future of your Community Planning ...................................................................................................................................................................................................10 governance, service delivery area. Working in partnership with Themes and community development. other agencies, organisations and .......................................................................................................................................................................... • Coping with climate change 12 A new era has begun for local the people in your community, your ........................................................................................................................................................................... • Creating a vibrant economy 16 government; eleven newly created council is required to deliver balanced ......................................................................................................................................................... • Supporting health and well-being 20 councils with a suite of additional social, economic and environmental ..................................................................................................... • Conserving and enhancing the natural environment 24 responsibilities will aim to strengthen wellbeing. It is fundamental that all ................................................................................................................................................................................ • Sustainable communities 28 local governance processes and future development incorporates the ............................................................................................................................................................................................ • Our protected places 32 deliver more effective and responsive concept of sustainability; achieving .................................................................................................................................................. • Preserving our historic environment 36 public services. economic prosperity whilst sensibly • Promoting responsible tourism ..............................................................................................................................................................40 managing your natural and built assets • Encouraging active travel ................................................................................................................................................................................44 This system should be able to take and responding to the local needs of • Energy efficiency and renewable energy ......................................................................................................................................48 action to meet the needs of local all citizens. • Enhancing leisure and recreation ...........................................................................................................................................................52 citizens in a more modern, accountable and efficient governance structure that This handbook aims to help inform Acknowledgements will entail local planning, regeneration you of the key principles of sustainable development, exploring the themes This handbook has been complied by Dr Aisling Murphy and Dr Karen Jenkinson. and economic development amongst the functions being transferred from that require careful consideration central government. when making planning decisions. Image Credits P.30 Dalriada Festival, Glenarm (Tourism NI) After outlining the diverse range of This publication has been illustrated by the kind P.31 Skainos (Skainos) natural and built heritage assets that permission of: P.32 Portmore Lough Nature Reserve (Andy Hay, Cover: Rathlin Island (Tourism NI) RSPB Images) are unique to your council area, eleven P.3 Guillemot (Andy Hay, RSPB Images) P.33 Strangford Lough (Tourism NI), Binevenagh themes are explored to demonstrate P.4 North Antrim Coast (Tourism NI), Bonamargy Friary Mountain (Tourism NI) (Tourism NI) P.34 Glenariff (Tourism NI) how sustainability can be achieved, P.6 North Antrim Coast (Tourism NI) P.35 Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre (Hufton and Crow) using case studies from each council P.9 The Mall, Armagh (Tourism NI) P.37 Antrim Round Tower (NIEA) area to illustrate good practice. P.10 Upper Lough Erne (Tourism NI) P.38 Dunluce Castle (NIEA) P.11 Moy Village (Tourism NI) P.39 Lisburn Castle Gardens (Lisburn City Council) P.12 Mourne Gorse Fires (Garry Harper) P.40 North Antrim Coast (Tourism NI) P.13 Flooding at Moira (Alan Lewis, Photopress Belfast) P.42 Belcoo Fermanagh Lakelands (Tourism NI), P.14 Extreme Weather Events (Tourism NI) Bushmills Distillery (Tourism NI), Derry-Londonderry P.15 Omagh Enhanced Local Hospital (Todd Architects/ Walls (NIEA) Hall Black and Douglas Architects) P.43 Mourne Mountains (Tourism NI) P.17 Titanic Belfast (Tourism NI) P.44-45 Derry-Londonderry Peace Bridge (Sustrans) P.18 The Mac, Belfast (Tourism NI) P.46 Lagan Meadows (Tourism NI) P.19 Clady to the Sperrins (Tourism NI) P.47 Hazelbank Park (Sustrans) P.21 Bouldering at Bloody Bridge, Newcastle (Tourism NI) P.48-49 Sustainable Housing in Newtownabbey (NIHE) P.22 Alive Surf School, Portrush (Tourism NI) P.50 Slieve Kirk Wind Farm (Action Renewables) P.23 Tulacorr Allotments, Strabane (North West Healthy P.51 Bangor Castle (NIEA) Living, Community Gardens and Allotments Project) P.52-53 Mountain Biking at Rostrevor (Tourism NI) P.24 Rathlin Island Seals (Tourism NI) P.54 Loughshore Park, Jordanstown (Tourism NI), P.26 Curlew (Andy Hay, RSPB Images), Walking in Fermanagh (Tourism NI) Yellowhammer (Tom Marshall, RSPB Images) P.55 Lower Bann Canoe Trail (Canoe NI) P.27 Oxford Island (Tourism NI), Puffin (Andy Hay, RSPB Images) P.28 Belfast City (Tourism NI) 3 North Antrim Coast Natural Environment The Causeway Coast and Glens council area contains a plethora of important environmental assets. These sites are protected using various landscape designations to ensure that our natural environment retains its special characteristics, delicate ecosystems and unique biodiversity. Among these designations, there are four Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – Causeway Coast, Sperrin, Binevenagh and the Antrim Coast and Glens. The nature reserves at Glenariff and Banagher Glen allow us to enjoy the richness and beauty of our natural environment. From whooper swans on Lough Foyle, unspoilt bog land surrounding Ballymoney and the unique bird colonies on Rathlin Island, this region is one of the most spectacular in Northern Ireland. Causeway Coast and Glens There are many more valuable assets located throughout the Causeway Coast and Glens, including those that are not given special protection. Some of the region’s finest beaches, such as Portstewart Strand, are on the north coast, there is ancient woodland in Breen Oakwood Northern Ireland is blessed Throughout the region many of these sites and a diverse marine environment in places like Rathlin Island. The borough has an incredible profusion of natural riches. Our unique heritage can be used for cultural, educational and with an abundance of are easily recognisable, but there are also many lesser known sites of real importance leisure purposes, supporting our tourism industry and economy and enhancing the quality of precious and unique natural that contribute greatly to the unique life and well-being of our citizens. and built heritage assets. beauty and qualities of our natural and built environment. It is critical that we fully Our natural environment is made up of many appreciate these assets by ensuring that they Landscape designations include: scenic landscapes, stunning coastlines and are properly managed and maintained for • Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site • 14 Special Areas of Conservation impressive mountain ranges, all of which are both conservation and public amenity. home to a diverse range of habitats, wildlife • 4 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty • 3 Ramsar sites and species. Our built heritage is represented Most significantly, we must recognise that • 13 Nature Reserves • 62 Areas of Special Scientific Interest in many historic places that include buildings these are irreplaceable assets that represent • 4 Special Protection Areas of architectural significance, treasured the very best of Northern Ireland’s distinct monuments, heritage gardens and fascinating heritage, culture and identity. Built Heritage archaeological sites. It is vital that our environment, economy