Burngibbagh and Drumahoe Landscape

Key Characteristics

• linear valley system with a strong NE-SW alignment
• valley has a flat floor and is enclosed by broad, rounded ridges
• hedgerows enclosing pastures form a strong, geometric pattern on the valley sides, with small areas of open moorland capping some summits
• pylons lines are a dominant landscape element, particularly to the north
• built development concentrated in centre of valley, near Drumahoe

Landscape Description

The Burngibbagh and Drumahoe landscape character area includes the long, linear valley system of the Burngibbagh and the lower Faughan River and its enclosing ridges. The valley lies to the east of Londonderry and is parallel to the River Foyle. The valley has a strong linear form and is aligned along a NE-SW axis, following a similar geological fault line to that of the River Foyle. The valley floor is relatively flat and well-defined and the enclosing ridges have a broad, rounded landform with open summits. The higher summits, such as Gortree Hill and Clondermot, are capped with brown moorland, which stands out clearly against the surrounding green pastures. Pasture is the predominant land use and the fields are enclosed by a neat network of hedgerows, with a transition to stone walls on some upper slopes. The hedgerows form a strong geometric pattern on the valley sides. The northern part of the valley, which contains the lower Faughan River, has a more open character, with larger fields and a relatively wide, unenclosed valley floor.

This part of the valley is dominated by a major power transmission line, with large pylons sited on raised plinths on the marshy valley floor. The Faughan River enters the Burngibbagh and Drumahoe valley system at its central point and then turns abruptly north to follow the natural fault-line. The valley is more open at this point and there is industrial development on the outskirts of the settlement of Drumahoe, as well as development spreading westwards from Londonderry along the A6. The southern part of the valley, which contains the Burngibbagh, has a more secluded character. The fields here are smaller and there are numerous hedgerow trees, which increase in density towards the valley floor. The Burngibbagh itself is relatively small and inconspicuous.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

The Faughan River valley, to the north, has a more degraded landscape character, with evidence of hedgerow loss and some sand and gravel extraction in the Gorticross area. The pylons also detract from the rural quality of this part of the valley. The valley landscape is relatively sensitive because it is in a highly accessible area; the ridgetops to the west also form part of the wider landscape setting of Londonderry. The Burngibbagh section of the valley, to the south, is particularly sensitive as it is relatively undeveloped. Its secluded, rural character could easily be diminished if the tree cover and hedgerow network was decreased due to built development, mineral extraction, farm expansion etc.

Principles for Landscape Management

• the conservation of hedgerows and stone walls will ensure that the strong landscape pattern which is characteristic of the valley system is maintained
• there is scope to restore some of the disused sand and gravel quarries in the Gorticross area, using woodland planting to improve the definition of the valley form in this relatively open section of the valley

Principles for Accommodating New Development

• the Clondermot ridge, to the east of Londonderry, forms part of the landscape setting for the city. The Burngibbagh valley system is, however, quite separate and it would not be appropriate for development to spread over the ridgetop and into the valley of the lower Faughan
• further development can be accommodated in the Drumahoe area, where the valley broadens to form a natural bowl shape. However, the valley is relatively open at this point and any built development should be associated with extensive planting, using native species, to integrate it with the surrounding landform
• white-washed dwellings and red-roofed barns are characteristic of the area
• development within the Burngibbagh valley to the south could disrupt its secluded, unspoilt character