Kilkeel Coast Landscape

Key Characteristics

• Gently undulating, coastal lowland dissected by narrow rocky river valleys.
• Medium sized fields separated by hedgerows and distinctive granite stone walls.
• Open landscape with small woodlands and stands of trees associated with small coastal estates.
• Scattered mix of old cottages and grey and white pebbledash buildings located along minor and main roads.
• Quarrying for sand and gravel has left many fields pitted with 'holes' and some more extensive (and prominent) areas of extraction.
• Open, expansive views across Carlingford Lough and to the 'Kingdom of Mourne' and Mourne Mountains.

Landscape Description

The Kilkeel Coast extends from Killowen Point to Ballymartin. It comprises gently undulating, coastal lowland between 0 m and 30 m AOD. The land falls gently and flattens out towards the shallow, sandy coastline. The lowland is dissected by numerous rocky burns and by the larger Kilkeel River, White Water and Cassy Water. The rivers flow in deep, narrow channels strewn with rocks and boulders. They are not prominent in the wider landscape but are attractive local features. The steep gullies are often clothed with trees and scrubby vegetation. Medium sized fields are separated by open banks, hedgerows and a few trees, as well as distinctive, robust walls built from rounded granite boulders. The walls are often topped with hedges. There are small attractive areas of tall yellow reeds and marsh associated with the ponds and wetlands near to the mouth of the White Water and an extensive salt marsh at Mill Bay.

There is a scattered mix of old cottages and more recent development along the A2 coastal road and numerous minor roads. Extensive ribbon development has blurred the fringes of Kilkeel and is a prominent element in this open landscape. Caravan sites are located along flat grassy headlands of the coastal fringe. Green Castle is a local landmark on Greencastle Point and is one of a number of sites of archaeological interest in the area. The flat landscapes just inland from the coast are pitted with sand and gravel quarries, many of which are disused. There are open, expansive views across the coast, Carlingford Lough and mudflats, into the farmland of the 'Kingdom of Mourne' and the Mourne Mountains. It is a peaceful landscape of calm lapping water, salty air and calling sea birds along muddy estuary sides.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

Parts of the Kilkeel Coast are relatively degraded by ribbon development and by sand and gravel extraction. Caravan sites also have a significant landscape and visual impact, especially around Kilkeel. The landscape improves in quality towards Greencastle. The attractive wetland and mudflat landscapes, the open coastal fringe, and the river mouths of rivers are the most sensitive coastal landscapes. Inland, the narrow rocky river valleys are also highly sensitive to change.

Principles for Landscape Management

• Further drainage of areas of fen and coastal mud-flats for agriculture and development should be discouraged in order to conserve these valuable habitats.
• The management of hedgerows and stone walls is particularly important in this open landscape, where these elements provide valuable structure and a sense of enclosure.
• The restoration of abandoned sand and gravel pits, the removal of derelict plant and any fly tipping will provide new opportunities for recreation and habitat creation, or a positive setting for new development.

Principles for Accommodating New Development

• Existing ribbon development already detracts from local landscape character. Further development should be clustered in small coherent groups of buildings to reduce further intrusion and should be associated with tree planting.
• A combination of planting and gently graded embankments may help to reduce the impact of existing works to the west of Kilkeel.
• Pressure from tourism and the continued expansion of caravan sites requires careful management to avoid detracting from the existing landscape character. Strategic shelterbelts and minor earth mounding may help screen existing and new developments.