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What are Landscape Character Areas?

In recognizing the importance of sustaining local identity, Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) in association with the Planning Service, commissioned a survey from environmental consultants Environmental Resources Management (ERM), which resulted in the identification of 130 distinct character areas within Northern Ireland.

Each landscape character area was described and an analysis of its key characteristics, landscape condition and sensitivity to change was prepared. Notable features and viewpoints were recorded giving special attention to urban fringes. It is these individual descriptions that can be viewed if the red dots are clicked.

Work on compiling similar biodiversity and geodiversity profiles for every LCA has recently been completed to complement the existing landscape descriptions. Summary information will be added to each LCA text section when ready and maps, links and graphics are also being edited. In the meantime, until work on this is complete, viewing errors may occur and most links will not be active.

Individual site references and details are provided for information only and do not imply that access is available - most ASSIs and ESCRs remain in private ownership.

Carrickfergus Shoreline Biodiversity Profile

In the following account of this LCA it should be noted that for consistency, the biodiversity section follows the standard order for all LCAs even though some of the communities discussed later may have more importance for biodiversity than those discussed earlier.

Key Characteristics

dominated by urban sprawl
under threat from urban expansion, particularly between Greenisland and Carrickfergus
biodiversity weak, but opportunity to improve

Woodlands

Woodlands are scarce in the LCA, the only extensive area is around Dalways Bawn and the Castle Dobbs estate; that has mature woodland, parkland trees and a treed avenue. The main tree species in this area include beech, oak, Scots pine, and larch. There are more recent plantings of poplars as well as cedars and exotic conifers. Some of the woodland is not maintained well and is open to grazing. Oakfield Glen is a recent attempt to increase the woodland cover; The Woodland Trust has planted a 9ha site with ash, cherry, Scot's pine and hazel.

Grassland and Arable

Grasslands account for around 40% of the LCA. To the east of Carrickfergus this is in improved pasture, but elsewhere there is a mix of improved pastures, golf-courses, playing fields and areas awaiting urban development. It is important for future biodiversity that some open spaces are retained, perhaps managed as hay meadows to encourage diversity of flora and fauna (rather than as continuously mown grasslands), and to include patches of trees and open water. This should build on the Nature in the City sites already identified. In the grasslands east of Carrickfergus, it is important for plant and animal diversity that hedgerows are maintained and improved, following Countryside Management guidelines (hedge laying; correct cutting cycles; planting of shrubs and trees; avoidance of spraying with pesticides, herbicides etc).

Coastal

The LCA is adjacent to the Outer Belfast Lough ASSI: the habitat range includes open mud flats and boulder and rocky shores and the ASSI is of international importance to bird life.

Issue: General actions for UK and NI Priority Habitats and Priority Species are detailed in the Habitat Action Plans and Species Action Plans.

Woodlands

Issue: scarce woodland cover, often poorly maintained and open to grazing

Actions:
enhance the biodiversity value of woodlands around Dalways Bawn and Castle Dobbs estate, by discouraging any further felling or pollarding; by retention of fallen and veteran trees (particularly for bryophytes, ferns, fungi and fauna); ensure that hazel scrub is not cleared
encourage control of grazing in broadleaved woodlands through fencing to foster herb layer and regeneration; encourage replanting of canopy species; removal of invasive species could increase the diversity of ground flora, especially where the canopy species are not beech
further study of the history and biodiversity of broadleaved woodlands within the LCA, particularly any ancient and long-established, as a key to future management
enhance biodiversity through measures to improve and extend woodland cover such as The Woodland Grant Scheme or The Farm Woodland Premium Scheme;
management plans for demesne woodland should be directed toward their survival, through natural regrowth or planting of native broadleaf species; farmers and landowners could be encouraged to plant field corners or set-aside fields; planting of small woodlands, perhaps in association with open grasslands and ponds, should form part of development plans for the LCA

Grassland and Arable

Issue: improved pastures of low biodiversity value, mixed with golf courses, playing fields and areas awaiting development

Actions:
encourage (through participation in Environmental Schemes) adoption/continuance of less intensive management of pastures to allow reversion to/continuance of more species-rich grassland
manage grazing levels to ensure that important grassland areas are not encroached by scrub vegetation or experience a fall in species richness due to overgrazing
maintain and enhance damp grassland by where, possible, restricting field or arterial drainage; consider managing open spaces as hay meadows to encourage the diversity of flora and fauna, and include patches of trees and open water - this should build on the Nature in the City sites already identified
maintain and improve field boundaries, especially hedgerows where they occur through adoption of correct cutting cycles; hedge laying and replanting where necessary; leave saplings uncut to develop into hedgerow trees; avoidance of spraying with fertilisers, slurry, herbicides through a move to organic farming; provision of wildlife strips and conservation headlands around fields; and limitation of field amalgamation
leave stubble over winter, rather than autumn ploughing to increase food resources for farmland birds; spring-sown cereals are beneficial to farmland birds

Coastal

Issue: Outer Belfast Lough ASSI features mudflats and is of international importance for birdlife

Actions:
it is essential that an integrated coastal zone management strategy is developed to manage valuable habitats and species within this coastal strip, because of the many uses of Belfast Lough and the number of councils and agencies involved
protect mudflats from potential impacts of nutrient enrichment, land claim, coastal defences, dredging and human disturbance
ensure that mussel beds are protected from physical impacts such as aggregate extraction, pipe/cable laying, dumping of spoil/cuttings; offshore fishing activities such as trawls and dredges can also have an impact
ensure that NI Priority Species, rare plants and RSPB Red List Species are protected from factors such as new development, erosion, waste tipping and pollution
ensure that urban and industrial development, as well as recreational activities do not damage coastal habitats

Carrickfergus Shoreline Landscape

Key Characteristics

Narrow flat coastal plain.
Large industrial and commercial developments along coastal edge.
Almost continuous belt of development which includes the main settlements of Carrickfergus and the smaller village of Greenisland.
Peripheral industry as well as scattered housing along roads links separate settlements and obscures their separate identities.
Pockets of woodland around Castle Dobbs.
Communications and services corridor.
Expansive views of the sea.

Landscape Description

The Carrickfergus Shoreline forms a fringe of flat land, 1km to 3km wide, between the high basalt ridge of the Carrickfergus Farmed Escarpment to the north and Belfast Lough to the south. The accommodating relief has been utilised by extensive development which runs more or less continuously along the length of the shore and extends westwards to the outskirts of Newtownabbey. Carrickfergus is the most concentrated area of settlement, with recent housing extending northwards from the shoreline core of the town. Prominent industrial structures, such as the stack of Kilroot Power Station provide a focus for miles around. Other ribbon development extends along the A2 and B90.

The linearity of the Carrickfergus Shoreline is emphasised by the roads, railway and transmission lines that pass along it. Views of the sea are a fundamental aspect of the local landscape character and, while coastal development blocks visibility from many locations inland, there are a number of significant waterfront viewpoints, such as Carrickfergus Castle. The railway follows the edge of the shoreline east of Carrickfergus, with excellent views across the Lough.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

The landscape has been subject to extensive recent development, especially between Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey. This has detracted from the identity and uniqueness of separate communities and has depleted the character of the natural rocky shoreline and views of the sea. Additional development will therefore be less pronounced in its effect, although there are opportunities to improve the landscape and visual quality of this area and further development should be associated with local environmental improvements.

All development currently lies to the south of the B90 which forms a northern boundary to this coastal strip landscape. If development extends beyond this boundary, it will extend into the adjacent Carrickfergus Farmed Escarpment, where the characteristic small-scale ladder field pattern is highly sensitive to landscape change. The Inner Belfast Lough ASSI extends from Belfast to Carrickfergus and this designation makes the water's edge a particularly sensitive area.

Principles for Landscape Management

There may be opportunities to develop coastal viewpoints, such as parks and jetties, along the shoreline, and to give priority to amenity land uses in this sensitive and important area.

Principles for Accommodating New Development

There is scope to develop a landscape strategy for continued development with clearly identified zones for development, environmental improvements and landscape works.
Existing landscape elements such as hedgerows, stone walls and woodlands may provide structural edges to individual settlements and help to reinforce settlement identity, preventing the coalescence of adjacent settlements.
Local features and built elements may be used to establish gateways to existing settlements, enhancing their distinctive character.

For further information on Landscape Character Areas visit the EHS website.

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The Carrickfergus in Bloom initiative is organised by Carrickfergus Borough Council.