Loughgall Orchard Belt Landscape

Key Characteristics

• Low rolling drumlins falling towards Lough Neagh crossed by numerous small river valleys and streams and separated by low lying areas of moss.
• Varied rural landscape pattern, with mixed farmland and horticulture; extensive orchards on sheltered drumlin slopes.
• Wooded designed estate landscapes, parklands and attractive loughs, hilltop copses, mature trees and neat clipped hedges.
• Numerous scattered dwellings connected by hedge lined winding roads.
• Many traditional buildings including parish churches.
• Long views to Lough Neagh and Portadown area from hill tops.

Landscape Description

The Loughgall Orchard Belt extends from Portadown to the M1 motorway, the River Blackwater and Armagh. The area is characterised by low rolling drumlins which fall towards Lough Neagh to the north and to the slopes of the Blackwater valley to the west. It is crossed by numerous small river valleys and streams, tributaries of the Rivers Blackwater and Bann. The underlying geology is a mix of sedimentary and contemporaneous igneous rocks and gives rise to rich brown soils. The upper slopes are a mixture of pasture and arable fields, enclosed by hedgerows and some hedgerow trees. Roadside hedgerows are mostly well maintained and there are a number of short avenues of mature beech and ash trees. Blocks of attractive, well kept orchards are located on the steeper sheltered drumlin slopes of favourable aspect. There are many old knarled trees as well as some newly planted orchards and nurseries.

The very shallow northern slopes near Portadown tend to be poorly drained, with extensive areas of moss. Regenerating alder, birch and willow are found on the moss and previous peat extraction has left a typical pattern of rectangular working sites linked by access tracks. There are numerous wooded designed estate landscapes, parklands, woodland and attractive loughs. Loughgall is the largest estate, and is associated with historic features such as crannogs and raths. Hilltop copses, mature trees and neat clipped hedges are features. There is a dense scattering of farms and dwellings scattered along the sides of lanes and at the end of access tracks, as well as villages such as Loughgall. Many cottages are of traditional simple styles, with a narrow layout and whitewashed exterior.

There are numerous large houses, and churches are a feature of the area. Stone buildings and traditional gate posts are also quite common. Dwellings are connected by hedge lined winding minor roads and roller coasting 'A' roads. The landscape pattern over much of the area to the east is influenced by the linear corridors of the M1, the A4 and by the River Bann. Two lines of pylons cross the landscape. This is a varied landscape, with a mix of scales and landscape patterns. In some areas there are pleasant long views across mixed farmland to farmsteads, churches and woodlots, but elsewhere, views are more contained by narrow tree-lined roads or regenerating scrub.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

The landscape condition is relatively good, with a well maintained hedgerow structure. Areas of moss and the margins of the M1 require management for invasive species such as gorse and brambles. Orchards are a feature of the landscape and neglect of some of these has resulted in their dereliction. The majority of the area has a rolling landform and good tree cover and is therefore not particularly sensitive to change. The more open land on the lower slopes and low lying areas is the most sensitive. The landscape on the edge of Portadown is under pressure from new residential, urban and infrastructure developments.

Principles for Landscape Management

• The management and progressive replanting of roadside and avenue trees and hedgerows will conserve the character of rural roads and avoid the necessity for wire fences.
• Thinning and removal of invasive weeds where necessary will encourage the orderly regeneration of moss scrub woodlands.
• The planting of deciduous shelter belts in association with horticulture will enhance the structure of the landscape.
• The conservation and progressive replanting of orchards will help to ensure the persistence of this important local landscape feature.

Principles for Accommodating New Development

• There is scope for extensive woodland structure planting on the fringes of existing housing estates near Portadown. It would be beneficial to associate all new built development with planting to provide a partial screen and to integrate the development within the existing geometric farmland pattern.
• The use of traditional building materials and forms in new housing will improve the character and integration of new built development.