Places for People A sustainable planning guide for councillors Antrim and Newtownabbey 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.28 Belfast City (Tourism NI) After outlining the diverse range of This publication has been illustrated by the kind P.30 Dalriada Festival, Glenarm (Tourism NI) natural and built heritage assets that permission of: P.31 Skainos (Skainos) Cover: Lough Neagh (Lough Neagh Partnership) P.32 Portmore Lough Nature Reserve (Andy Hay, are unique to your council area, eleven P.3 Guillemot (Andy Hay, RSPB Images) RSPB Images) themes are explored to demonstrate P.4 Antrim Town (Tourism NI), Cranfield Church (Lough P.33 Strangford Lough (Tourism NI), Binevenagh Neagh Partnership) Mountain (Tourism NI) how sustainability can be achieved, P.5 Lough Neagh (Lough Neagh Partnership) P.34 Glenariff (Tourism NI) using case studies from each council P.6 North Antrim Coast (Tourism NI) P.35 Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre (Hufton and Crow) area to illustrate good practice. P.9 The Mall, Armagh (Tourism NI) P.37 Antrim Round Tower (NIEA) 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) 3 Antrim Town Natural Environment The Antrim and Newtownabbey council area contains several 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. Included among these designations are the nature reserves at Randalstown Forest and Farr’s Bay on the shores of Lough Neagh as well as the important wetland habitats and species found on Belfast Lough. There are many opportunities to explore and enjoy the beauty and richness of our natural environment. There are many more valuable assets located throughout Antrim and Newtownabbey, including those that are not given special protection. The Six Mile Water Valley has some Antrim and Newtownabbey valuable ecological characteristics, as have several areas of woodland, including Carnmoney Hill and Rea’s Wood. Other open spaces, like the borough’s parks, all require similar attention so that we sensitively manage and utilise these assets to their full potential. Our unique Northern Ireland is blessed Throughout the region many of these sites heritage can be used for cultural, educational and leisure purposes, supporting our tourism with an abundance of are easily recognisable, but there are also industry and economy and enhancing the quality of life and well-being of our citizens. many lesser known sites of real importance precious and unique natural that contribute greatly to the unique Landscape designations include: and built heritage assets. beauty and qualities of our natural and built environment. It is critical that we fully • 5 Nature Reserves • 2 Ramsar sites Our natural environment is made up of many appreciate these assets by ensuring that they • 2 Special Protection Areas • 7 Areas of Special scenic landscapes, stunning coastlines and are properly managed and maintained for • 1 Special Area of Conservation Scientific Interest impressive mountain ranges, all of which are both conservation and public amenity. home to a diverse range of habitats, wildlife and species. Our built heritage is represented Most significantly, we must recognise that in many historic places that include buildings these are irreplaceable assets that represent of architectural significance, treasured the very best of Northern Ireland’s distinct monuments, heritage gardens and fascinating heritage, culture and identity. archaeological sites. It is vital that our environment, economy These heritage assets have so much to offer; and society work effectively together, to Lough Neagh they are the foundation on which our tourism ensure that future planning