Central Ballymena Glens Landscape

Key Characteristics

• Broad, undulating glens, overshadowed by imposing moorland summits.
• Volcanic plug of Slemish is a distinctive landmark visible from glens.
• Regular field structure and pattern, with well maintained stone walls or hedgerows dividing pastures on the valley floor and fencing on the upper slopes.
• Mounds and knolls on the glen floor.
• Stands of Scots Pine and mature beech, together with mature hedgerow trees create a strong sense of enclosure.
• White houses, traditional farmsteads and small whitewashed villages such as Cargan stand out as attractive elements.
• Archaeological remains including raths, chambered graves and standing stones.

Landscape Description

This pair of scenic glens leads from the open fertile farmland around Ballymena up into the isolated Garron Plateau. They radiate north eastwards from Ballymena, each containing a major road, the A43 and A42 respectively. These routes lead to the spectacular coastal Antrim glens (a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) to the east.

Gently undulating ridges give the landform interest, and a strong landscape structure is provided by a well maintained stone wall and hedgerow network throughout the glens. There are mounds and knolls on the glen floor. The incised glen narrows towards the uplands where rocky burns and deciduous woodland become more pronounced features. Mature beeches and stands of Scots Pine are features of the glens and avenues, stands of trees and isolated specimens give the glens an overall sense of enclosure. Isolated, well-spaced traditional farmsteads are located at the bases of slopes and sheltered by mature trees. Their outbuildings often have red or green roofs which contrast well with the whitewashed finish of the dwelling and the green pastoral scene.

Small white settlement clusters, such as Buckna and Martinstown are typical of the glens and their nucleated form and white finish stand out as attractive features. The modern church at Carrowcowan Bridge is a distinctive landmark. The A43 to Glenariff is a popular tourist route; the settlements of Cargan and Newtown have grown up alongside this route, at the head of the glen.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

Landscape condition is extremely good, with neat, intact field boundaries, preserved traditional farmsteads and a good tree age structure. The glens fall partially within the Antrim Coast and Glens AONB. The Cleggan Valley ASSI and the Glen Burn ASSI are important for nature conservation interest within the Braid Valley. The glens are extremely sensitive to change due to their distinctive character, scenic quality and views from surrounding ridges and major tourist routes. Visual amenity is enhanced by distinctive landforms such as Skerry Rock or Craignamaddy and the undulating landform within the glens serves to shelter and accommodate limited development.

Principles for Landscape Management

• Extension and enhancement of the existing deciduous woodland structure would lead to better wildlife links and an enhanced valley character.
• Conservation and maintenance of field boundaries such as hedgerows and stone walls rather than replacing by post and wire fencing will conserve the small scale field pattern.
• Grazing management and woodland management will ensure that the diversity of landscapes such as pasture, streams and wooded incised glens is retained.

Principles for Accommodating New Development

• The use of standard colours on farm outbuildings, such as reds which contrast with the landscape and whitewashed dwellings, will provide some continuity in the landscape.
• The promotion of growth within existing settlements will reduce scattered rural dwellings or ribbon development along roads which may lead to the degradation of rural landscape character.
• Vernacular building styles and finishes are most appropriate - simple dwellings finished in white predominate.