Divis Summits Landscape

Key Characteristics

• Broad, rounded summits on the edge of the Antrim basalt plateau with a distinctive and dramatic escarpment overlooking Belfast.
• Open, windswept marginal farmland, with expanses of moss on flat, waterlogged plateau.
• Angular, straight field boundaries and narrow roads.
• Pockets of small-scale farmland and paddocks on some edges of the moss.
• Occasional groups of trees shelter isolated farmsteads.
• Dense lines of hedgerow beech trees along some roads and farm tracks at lower elevations.
• Derelict buildings.
• Quarries, both active and abandoned.

Landscape Description

The Antrim basalt plateau ends in a series of broad, rounded summits overlooking Lisburn and Belfast. The principal summits of Black Mountain, Squires Hill and Cave Hill reach up to 400m, with Divis standing at 478m. They generally have gentle slopes, with some gullies and abrupt, steep slopes in places. However, the summits along the edge of the basalt escarpment have much steeper slopes which plummet towards Belfast. Between the summits, the upper plateau has extensive areas of shallow, partially waterlogged moss which is surrounded by areas of marginal farmland.

The landscape is relatively open, with extensive areas of windswept moss and rough farmland. However, the valley slopes have a more farmed character, with straight, overgrown hedgerows, belts of mature trees and farmsteads. Many of the farmsteads are sheltered by stands of mature trees and are reached by straight tracks, some of them raised on embankments as they cross the moss. There are important archaeological remains, particularly on the summits of Cave Hill. Radio masts are situated on the highest summits where they are prominent in views from surrounding areas.

The landscape has a rather irregular, patchy pattern, with areas of scrub and wasteland which are often associated with abandoned mineral workings, derelict farmsteads and areas of waterlogged or unfarmed land.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

The landscape of the Divis Summits is generally in poor condition, particularly on the summits and in areas where there has been a history of mineral extraction. There is much evidence of hedgerow removal and the character of the roads, which were fringed with hedgerows on the lower slopes of the plateau, has been eroded by a combination of neglect and ongoing minor road improvements, largely to accommodate the mineral lorries. Much of the farmland is in a partially abandoned condition and there is much evidence of fly-tipping and derelict farmsteads. The basalt summits and steep escarpment slopes are particularly sensitive to change, as they form the backdrop to the urban areas of Lisburn and Belfast and because they are relatively exposed. The quarry sites are often in extremely prominent locations and their restoration should be considered a priority. Hazelwood Area of Scientific Interest (ASI) occurs within this character area, forming a particularly sensitive part of the landscape.

Principles for Landscape Management

• The restoration of abandoned quarry sites will improve views to this landscape; priority should be given to those in the most prominent positions on the escarpment slopes and those which are in the vicinity of important archaeological sites.
• The character of the minor roads may be reinforced by conserving existing hedgerows and planting new hedges and lines of trees on the lower slopes.
• The control of fly-tipping and the removal of existing tips and scattered dumping on derelict sites, would improve landscape condition.
• The landscape on the edges of active quarry sites should be restored, particularly at entrances and the permanent boundaries, where there are often steep, odd-shaped bunds and abandoned plant.
• Limiting routes for mineral lorries will help conserve narrow roads and remaining hedgerow trees from further erosion by heavy vehicles.
• New hedgerow tree planting and the encouragement of natural regeneration, particularly near farmsteads, mineral sites and along roads on the lower slopes of the plateau will screen development and reinforce the landscape structure.
• If new planting is restricted to the lower slopes, the gradual transition to an open, uncluttered skyline on the rounded summits may be conserved.

Principles for Accommodating New Development

• There is little scope for new built development in this area, with the possible exception of existing derelict sites, where there may be opportunities for restoration.