West Lough Neagh Shores Landscape

Key Characteristics

• Relatively flat, expansive landscape on the lower reaches of large rivers and fringes of Lough Neagh.
• Shallow drumlins form 'islands' surrounded by flat, open pastures; they have a diverse landscape pattern, with farmsteads and mature trees.
• Large fields on floodplain, often surrounded by straight drainage ditches.
• Some poorly-drained areas within the farmland and large wet woodlands on more extensive low-lying land.
• Extensive ribbon development along straight roads, which often end at farms towards the fringes of Lough Neagh.
• Mature hedgerow oak trees are prominent features in a well-connected network of hedgerows.

Landscape Description

The landscape of the West Lough Neagh Shores is found to the east of Cookstown, on the extensive floodplain of the Ballinderry River and its tributaries. The land is relatively low-lying, with a transition from shallow drumlins on the edges of the floodplains, to extensive flat farmland on the fringes of Lough Neagh. Stretches of the rivers are enclosed by embankments and are often hidden from view by extensive woodlands on wet, low-lying land. Such woodlands are dominated by willow, alder and birch and they are generally close to the river channel.

The landscape has a relatively homogeneous landscape pattern, with extensive flat pastures surrounded by drainage ditches and a well-connected network of straight hedgerows. There are numerous hedgerow trees and the mature hedgerow oaks are a special, distinctive feature of the area. Farms and individual houses are concentrated on shallow drumlins, which often form prominent 'islands' with a relatively diverse, well treed landscape pattern. Traditionally, larger properties and settlement clusters were sited on higher land, with cottages dispersed in a linear pattern along the embanked floodplain roads. In recent years, this pattern has become increasingly overwhelmed by ribbon development, which includes some prestigious, large properties on the flat lands close to Lough Neagh.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

Most farmland is in relatively good condition, and that on the drumlins is particularly well managed. However, much low-lying land is extensively managed, with a transition to poorly-drained areas of rushes and scrub. Derelict buildings and partially used farms are common, despite the high proportion of recent development. Views across a flat landscape are wide and open and the only way to screen or integrate new development is by planting with native trees which can blend with the existing wet woodlands.

Existing hedgerow trees help to screen some existing ribbon development. The fringes of Lough Neagh are particularly sensitive to change. This area is important for its scenic, ecological and heritage value; for instance, the landscape setting of the Ardboe Cross and the long, expansive views along the shoreline are sensitive to mineral extraction, housing, and tourist developments.

Principles for Landscape Management

• The characteristic hedgerow oak trees are now in decline and a programme of replanting and tree surgery to existing specimens should be introduced.
• Engineering works relating to local watercourses should be carefully designed to minimise disruption to the alignment of river banks and channels and the associated riparian vegetation.
• Management and extension of existing deciduous woodlands will ensure their long-term survival as landscape features and create visual screening for new developments.
• Wet meadows on the shores of the Lough should be managed in accordance with the Draft Management Plan for the Lough Neagh/Lough Beg SPA and the ASSI Schedules to maximise nature conservation value.
• There is scope to promote and manage wider public access to the lough shore, reducing the risks of ad hoc damage to highly sensitive areas.

Principles for Accommodating New Development

• New development would be prominent in the relatively open landscapes, although there may be scope to integrate housing using extensive native planting, imitating the wet woodlands found on the edge of the floodplain.
• Traditional buildings located close to the Lough are long, low and white-washed and they increase in size inland; new development which follows this pattern could be integrated within the local landscape pattern but there is a danger of overcrowding.
• The open character of the landscape of the Lough fringe should be retained in order to maintain views across the water from local roads.