Donaghcloney Valley Landscape

Key Characteristics

• Broad, flat-bottomed valley with a meandering, narrow river channel.
• Large, geometric fields divided by low hedgerows.
• Scattered hedgerow trees and a fairly open character.
• Rural character but with some large-scale industrial and agricultural development.
• Scattered farms and villages along straight rural roads and larger clustered villages.
• Mix of pasture and arable farmland.
• Stone mill buildings and stone bridges are local landmarks.

Landscape Description

The Donaghcloney Valley is at the head of the broad River Lagan valley. It is a broad, flat-bottomed valley which lies between the Upper Ballinderry Plateau to the north and the Kilwarlin Plateau to the south. The River Lagan meanders tightly at the entrance to the broader valley to the north east and is a prominent focus in views. It occupies a small channel but its visual presence is emphasised by stream-side willows and the historic remnants of water mills near the head of the valley. Here, there is a broad field pattern, with long views across open meadows. Towards the outer margins of the valley, the field pattern is generally smaller in scale and the landscape more enclosed. The principal settlement of Magheralin has a clustered form. It is surrounded by open arable farmland, although the river corridor has a relatively small-scale landscape pattern, with some prominent lines of mature trees. The roads are generally straight and ribbon development, which is often associated with conifer shelterbelts, is particularly evident along the B9. There are a number of large agri-industrial buildings within the valley and many are built from prominent, reflective materials.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

The field pattern towards the head of the valley is beginning to break down and the general condition of the hedgerows is 'gappy'. The relatively open character and flat landform of this landscape ensures that it is sensitive to change. It is also overlooked in views from adjacent higher land. The centre of the valley is most prominent and therefore particularly sensitive. The village of Magheralin retains a strong character, with some distinctive buildings and mature trees associated with the estate to the south. However, it is beginning to 'leak' at the edges, with small scale ribbon development along the B9 and towards the south east.

Principles for Landscape Management

• The introduction of a buffer strip between arable land and the river would conserve the visual character and ecological value of the riverside landscape.
• The character and prominence of the river course would be conserved and emphasised if riverside tree planting is reinforced.

Principles for Accommodating New Development

• Further development might be accommodated if it is concentrated in existing residential areas and associated with carefully designed planting which links to existing hedgerow patterns. However, new development should be subject to careful visual analysis, taking account of views from adjacent higher land.
• New buildings along the roads in the centre of the valley would be extremely prominent and the rural character of this sensitive area should be conserved.
• The use of more subdued and natural building materials would help to ensure that modern industrial and agricultural buildings are not obtrusive.
• The practice of storing brightly coloured industrial products (such as piping) under cover will help to screen these distracting elements from views across the valley.