Broad Lagan Valley Landscape

Key Characteristics

• Broad, almost flat valley, with a relatively inconspicuous, narrow river channel.
• Predominantly fairly large arable fields but with areas of smaller pastures.
• Numerous farms and houses strung out along a branching network of narrow roads.
• Large-scale developments are a dominant influence towards the edges of Lisburn.
• Densely scattered hedgerow trees across the landscape.
• Avenues and lines of mature beech trees are prominent; some are a mixture of species, including Scots pine.

Landscape Description

The River Lagan flows in a winding, narrow channel across a very broad, flat valley to the west of Lisburn. The river is relatively inconspicuous towards the centre of the valley. Arable fields predominate, but there are also pockets of smaller pastures and paddocks, particularly on the edges of settlements. All the fields are enclosed by hedgerows, with those closer to the river having a scrubby, overgrown character and containing willow and downy birch. There are numerous hedgerow trees throughout the valley and they contribute character and variety to views. The majority of hedgerow trees are ash and oak but there are also many beech trees, especially towards the edges of the valley.

The valley is well-settled, with linear villages and farmsteads along a dense, branching network of narrow roads which follow minor ridges. The A-roads and M1 have a much smoother alignment, superimposed on this historic pattern. Some of the larger houses and farms have avenues of mature beech trees and shelter belts which are prominent features in this flat landscape.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

The arable fields on the fringes of Lisburn are much enlarged and there are few remaining hedgerows. Elsewhere, field boundaries are in better condition, although there are many examples of gappy hedges. The area to the south of the M1 is relatively sensitive to change, as it forms part of the broader setting of the shallow escarpment slopes of the Kilwarlin Plateau. In addition, the western valley (in the Moira area) is a slightly more sensitive landscape than other areas, as it is overlooked from vantage points on the higher land at Moira and Maghaberry.

Principles for Landscape Management

• Mass tree planting in hedgerows and road/track verges in the landscape immediately to the west of Lisburn would strengthen the character of the degraded landscape in this area.
• There may be opportunities for improved public access to the valley landscape, perhaps through the extension of the Lagan Valley Regional park. Cycleways are likely to be particularly popular in this relatively flat landscape.
• There may be scope to improve the wetland corridor of the River Lagan by creating a buffer zone from the surrounding arable land and planting appropriate trees and shrubs.

Principles for Accommodating New Development

• Mass planting on site boundaries will help to integrate large-scale development (existing as well as proposed) within the landscape; dense stands of birch/willow are an effective screen on low-lying land.
• Maintenance of undeveloped 'gaps' or buffer zones between adjacent linear settlements will help to prevent coalescence and allow views across the valley.
• The existing mature shelterbelts may be used as models for planting new ones at key boundaries to development sites.
• Planting beech and native species in lines along driveways and at entrances to linear villages, would provide a stronger sense of arrival at settlements and help prevent their coalescence.