Conservation Areas

What is a Conservation Area?

Newry Mourne and Down’s Conservation Areas

Development in a Conservation Area

Policy and guidance

A Conservation Area is an area designated because of its special architectural or historical significance, which is desirable to preserve or enhance. The Council have the power to designate an area of special architectural or historical interest as a Conservation Area. The designation of a Conservation Area indicates our positive commitment to these areas and our intention to preserve and enhance the quality of the environment. 

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Our Conservation Areas

There are 10 Conservation Areas within Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area. Click here to access our map viewer. 

They are:

 

• Ardglass

• Bessbrook 

• Castlewellan

• Downpatrick 

• Killough 

• Killyleagh 

• Newry

• Rostrevor

• Saintfield

• Strangford

 

Ardglass is an attractive village with a distinctly maritime flavour and is set on the slopes of Green Hill overlooking the open sea but focusing on the harbour immediately to the north and east. 

The historic significance, setting and quality of the townscape of Ardglass merited the distinction by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland of much of the village as a Conservation Area. 

 

The centre of Bessbrook is an area of unique historical interest in Northern Ireland, as it was one of the forerunners of the English nineteenth century ‘model’ villages. These villages signified the first expression of concern over the quality of living accommodation for industrial workers. 

Bessbrook derives its character from the closeknit terraced dwellings laid out in a pattern of two formal squares linked by a linear street – Fountain Street. The majority of the terraces date from the late 19th century and are characterised by stone walls, slated roofs, and often brick dressings. 

 

The Conservation Area boundary of Castlewellan encloses the historic core which, with its unusual plan form based on the spacious Main Street and formal town squares at either end, has succeeded in creating a distinctive sense of place.

The purpose of this designation is to protect those elements which reflect and contribute to Castlewellan’s unique character and history: its squares, streets, buildings and landscaping. It also draws attention to opportunities for positive change to enhance the overall character of the town. 

 

Downpatrick is a historic town whose unique siting gives it a distinctive character. The town centre, set between two hills with steep, narrow streets curving up and around the hills, has a very complete sense of enclosure. Although its early history must have influenced its shape and development, the town as it now stands dates mainly from the 18th and 19th Centuries. Several buildings, including Down Cathedral and the Southwell Charity are of special architectural interest, while the many fine town houses, in themselves good examples of Georgian domestic architecture, are an important ingredient to the townscape and provide an essential foil to several imposing public buildings. 

 

The plan of Killough is that of a broad main street - Castle Street – flanked by buildings on both sides with two wings of cottages stretching north and south along the coast. The buildings are mostly in terrace form located directly behind the pavement. At the north of Castle Street, Palatine Square is a formal focal point for the village whilst at the south Quay Street leads to the harbour, the scene of Killough’s former prosperity. 

 

The historic core of Killyleagh is composed of pleasantly enclosed Georgian and Victorian terraces which display much original detailing such as fanlights, coach arches, quoins, sashed windows and original stonework. High Street, Catherine Street and Frederick Street, as well as containing the bulk of the town's listed buildings, provide rewarding internal vistas and external views. Elsewhere, as in Cross Street, change of scale and building line provide visual interest whilst key corner sites offer opportunities for enhancement and improvement.

The Dibney River valley encloses the town to the north providing a natural boundary to the Conservation Area. Clearly visible from Shrigley Road and Comber Road it contributes significantly to the landscape and setting of the town.

 

In the local context, the strengths of the Newry Conservation Area derive from the merits of individual buildings within it, rather than a coherent piece of urban design in its own right. In the buildings themselves, one sees a great diversity of style, proportion, materials and colour, which in turn expresses a dynamism related to their function. Since its original designation in 1983, Newry Conservation Area has been extended twice.

In 1992 the boundary was extended southward to incorporate the historic commercial spine of Hill Street/John Mitchel Place; the original 12th century settlement and areas abutting the canal/river. In 2001 the area was extended northwards to incorporate the historical significance of the Newry Canal to the town.

 

The boundary of the Conservation Area in Saintfield largely reflects the extent of development of the 'old' town around the middle of the 19th century. It encompasses the length of Main Street, running west to east from the open prospect of Fair Green to its junction with the present Belfast to Downpatrick Road; also Comber Street, part of the other 'crossroad' running northwards at right angles to Main Street. The Belfast to Downpatrick route was realigned in the 1840s from the Old Belfast Road approaching the town from the west to its present line at the eastern end of Main Street to facilitate the progress of horse drawn coaches and carriages.

 

Designation as a Conservation Area puts an onus on prospective developers to produce a very high standard of design, which enhances or preserves the particular qualities of the area in question.  

Trees often make an important contribution to the appearance and character of Conservation Areas. Trees are therefore automatically protected as if a Tree Preservation Order is in place. In some instances, development may be acceptable subject to conditions requiring new tree planting or replanting. Please click here for more information relating to Tree Protection Orders. 

Please ensure you have all the necessary consents before applying for works within a conservation area.

 

The Conservation Area Guides for each respective Conservation Area should be used as the first point of reference when bringing forward development proposals in these areas. Best practice conservation guidance, such as British Standards (BS) 7913:2013: ‘Conservation of Historic Buildings’, can also assist developers and professional advisors in preparing proposals affecting buildings within a Conservation Area. 

 

Further information on conservation areas/historic environment is provided on the following websites:

 

• The Department for Infrastructure’s Planning Policy

• The Department for Infrastructure’s Development Management Practice Notes

• The Department for Communities Historic Environment Map Viewer

• The Department for Communities information on Listed Buildings