Tyrella Coastal Dunes Landscape

Key Characteristics

• Hummocky, grass covered coastal sand dunes backed by flat, open farmland.
• Long sandy beaches.
• Leggy hedgerows, broken stone walls and cylindrical stone gateposts.
• Wind-swept and exposed landscape.
• Scattered modern housing along the A2.
• Traditional low lying white-finished coastal cottages.
• Golf courses and caravan sites.
• Conifer plantation at Ballykinler.

Landscape Description

The Tyrella Coastal Dunes is a strip of coastline which lies behind Dundrum (Outer) Bay on the south Down coast, between St John's Point in the east and Newcastle in the west. The area is dominated by extensive sand dunes. Their hummocky forms are covered in windswept Marram grass backed by flat farmland which supports rough grazing. A long sandy beach and the extensive mudflats at Dundrum Inner Bay together create a flat expanse which contrasts dramatically with the looming peaks of the Mourne Mountains. The beach becomes progressively stonier towards Newcastle. The flat coastal strip also contrasts with the undulating land of the Quoile Valley Lowlands and Newcastle Valleys to the north and west. The main A2 road runs along the coast and is bordered by a ribbon of housing and development. Close to Newcastle, caravan sites and industrial development add to the variety of modern housing styles which back the dunes. The greens of the Royal County Down golf course provide a further contrast in landscape character on the fringes of Newcastle.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

The condition of the landscape has been degraded by the spread of built development along the coastal road, the introduction of large static caravan parks and the loss or degradation of field boundaries. Landscape sensitivity is increased by the visibility of this low coastal strip from the Mournes and the high ground which backs Dundrum Bay. The dunes are extremely sensitive to development and require careful management to avoid erosion and the loss of rare and interesting plants. A conservation area around Tyrella Beach controls public access, vehicular access, grazing pressure and recreational use of the dunes, ensuring that minimum damage is suffered. The Murlough National Nature Reserve and Murlough ASSI, which includes heathland, lies within the 6,000 year old sand dune system to the west of Dundrum. The sand dunes also fall within the candidate Special Area for Conservation (cSAC). The area to the west of Dundrum Bay is designated as part of the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), while the area to the east falls within the Lecale Coast AONB.

Principles for Landscape Management

• The management of scrub and bracken and its controlled grazing will help to restore and enhance heathland. Management Plans of the National Trust (for the National Nature Reserve area), the ASSI and cSAC should form the basis for all conservation works.
• There is scope for the provision of picnic areas, providing access is carefully controlled to prevent erosion of the dunes.
• The expansion of conifer plantations would lead to a change in landcover and landscape character; any plantations should be sited carefully, away from the dune systems.
• Management of the coastline would help to prevent erosion of the beaches.
• The conservation of stone walls, hedgerows and traditional stone gateposts would reinforce landscape pattern and character.

Principles for Accommodating New Development

• The vernacular style (ie low, white-finished cottages) may be replicated in modern architecture. Small clustered settlements should be sought rather than infill along the coastal road which would lead to continuous ribbon development; views to the dunes and sea should be conserved by ensuring that undeveloped sections are maintained between settlements.
• Boundaries around housing are most appropriate if they respond to traditional styles and materials; stone walls, hedgerows or post and wire fencing with gorse are all suitable forms of boundary. Ranch style fencing, brick walls or ornamental planting are inappropriate in this open, coastal and windswept landscape.
• Caravan parks should be sheltered by landforms and use local plant species to provide screening and some integration in the landscape. They should be set well back from the dunes where their visual and landscape impact would be minimised.