Larne Coast Landscape

Key Characteristics

• Rough, highly contoured pasture fringed by a rocky shoreline.
• Basalt headlands and cliffs create sequence of striking 'gateways'.
• Sparse scrubby landcover, exposed rocks and stone walls.
• Small wooded glens on steep slopes of basalt uplands.
• Large settlements on expanded coastal margins (Ballygalley and Larne); Larne has prominent dockland area.
• Expansive seaward views.

Landscape Description

The Larne Coast is an undulating lowland to the east of the Larne Basalt Moorland. To the north of Ballygalley, the lowland forms a narrow strip between the steep slopes of the basalt uplands to the west and the coast. To the south, the coastal lowlands broaden to form an attractive, undulating landscape which extends from Carncastle to the town of Larne at the mouth of Larne Lough. The dramatic coast road is confined to a narrow platform (a raised beach), which hugs the coastline with superb seaward views. The steep, stepped basalt cliffs and rocky headlands provide a sequence of 'gateways' along the coast, framing the views and lending an air of anticipation.

The immediate coastal strip is a steep, rugged belt of rough pasture with wind-sculpted vegetation and partially derelict stone walls. The coastline is renowned for its landslips and the coastal road shows signs of frequent repair. Inland, the lowlands are backed by the steep slopes of the Larne Basalt Moorland, with an attractive pattern of stone walls, woodland and narrow, wooded glens. The circular cliffs of Sallagh Braes are a dramatic landmark to the south. Farmsteads nestle in sheltered sites towards the foot of the slopes and the village of Carncastle is a local focus for routes inland from the coastal road. The area has a wealth of archaeological interest, with a sequence of mottes, standing stones and raths along the upland margins. Larne is a major town within this area with a prominent dock area, a ferry port and a peripheral fringe of housing which extends onto the uplands above the town. Ballygalley is sited beneath Ballygalley Head and has a compact and contained form. Individual dwellings, golf courses and tourist developments, are scattered sporadically along the A2 and detract from the wild, windswept character of the coastal strip.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

This is a landscape of high scenic quality, which is within the Antrim Coast and Glens AONB. The stone walls are an important element of the landscape and their state of repair provides a clear indication of landscape condition. This coastline is highly sensitive to change as it is a scenic area which is viewed by many visitors on the A2 coastal road, a popular tourist route. The topography deters significant development pressure and development has been concentrated on the wider parts of the coastal strip, around Larne in particular. Here, new housing and changes in the urban fabric of the town have resulted in expansion at its periphery and the loss of a distinct urban edge. The Larne Coast has a number of important sites of earth science interest, including the Waterloo ASSI at Chaine Memorial Park, where the underlying Antrim basalts and chalk are exposed at the shore within a series of fossil-rich strata.

Principles for Landscape Management

• Maintenance of stone walls will preserve the robust landscape pattern and enhance landscape condition.
• Proposals for commercial forestry on the steep slopes of the Larne Basalt Moorland should be carefully designed to conserve the existing pattern of fields, wooded glens and stone walls; hard geometric edges should be avoided.

Principles for Accommodating New Development

• A landscape strategy may guide the siting and design of continued development around Larne and conserve areas of local landscape importance.
• The restriction of peripheral development at Ballygalley will ensure its landscape setting is conserved.
• Development in line with the traditional pattern of clustered settlements at strategic points along the coast will prevent infill between separate developments and will avoid a continuous strip of coastal development and loss of natural landscape features; conservation of the traditional compact settlement form will ensure that the diversity of topographic features is maintained.
• Small car parks, laybys and viewpoints may be developed at wider points along the coastal road in order to provide opportunities to experience sea and coastline views without destroying landscape features such as rocky knolls.