Garry Bog Landscape

Key Characteristics

• Flat expanse of farmland, carr, heath and conifer plantation.
• Medium sized fields used for improved and rough grazing are divided by straight, wet ditches and post and wire fences.
• The area is crossed by the dyked Burn Gushet River and a few straight, embanked and fenced rural roads.
• Sparse grey and white pebbledash houses and bungalows, and large modern farm buildings with big barns; few older cottages.
• Open landscape, long, flat views to surrounding rolling farmland and hills beyond.

Landscape Description

Garry Bog is a flat area of farmland, carr, raised bog and coniferous forestry which includes the large straight edged Garry Wood. It extends west from the Bush River north of Ballymoney, and forms the floodplain to a number of its tributaries. Medium sized fields are used for rough and improved grazing with boundaries which comprise straight, wet ditches and post and wire fences with occasional trees and shrubs. Raised bog is colonised by heather and rough grass, and in places by a mixed deciduous wet woodland of alder and willow. This softens the edges of large regular straight edged forestry plantations, and provides a degree of contrast. The soils are black and peaty, and in a few places are used for potato growing.

The area is crossed by the dyked Burn Gushet River and a few straight, embanked and fenced rural roads. There are very few houses or farms; buildings occupy individual roadside locations on slightly higher ground. Settlement is characterised by sparse grey and white pebbledash houses and bungalows, and large modern farm buildings with big barns. There are a few older white painted stone cottages. Farms bordering the area lie at the ends of long straight tracks on the higher and drier ground. This is an open landscape with long, flat views to surrounding rolling farmland. Telegraph poles are prominent against skyline.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

The landscape comprises contrasting elements. The remaining raised bog and willow carr of Garry Bog is in good condition, but would be sensitive to drainage or change to forestry or farmland. The flat open nature of the surrounding farmland has a somewhat degraded feel owing to the presence of wire fences which are in a poor state of repair. Changes in land use would be limited by the wet soils. The flat character of the area would ensure that new buildings and structures would be visible unless integrated by forestry and carr woodland. There are few existing settlements, creating a rural, open character which would be sensitive to development. The most sensitive areas are the raised bog and alder/willow carr.

Principles for Landscape Management

• Restriction of further drainage of fen would help retain the remaining wetland landscapes and prevent dewatering of the peat.
• The control of peat cutting to conserve the best and least disturbed areas of raised bog would be of benefit to protect this key natural habitat.
• Forestry margins could be softened and better integrated with broad leafed planting.
• Conservation of existing vegetation and planting new trees and shrubs bordering fields and along drainage ditches would be beneficial in improving the landscape structure and its ecological interest.
• Care with the use of excessive chemicals would help prevent pollution of the ditches and consequent pollution of the ground water.
• The dyked river has a sterile trapezoid channel; planting and scooping would help to enhance its nature conservation interest and give it a stronger visual presence in the landscape.

Principles for Accommodating New Development

• The sensitive location of any new development on higher ground and in association with woodland or existing buildings will conserve the unsettled character of the area.
• Development in this area would be less intrusive if it is small in scale and associated with woodland or existing buildings and if the traditional white washed or pebbledash finish if used.
• The majority of this wet, low-lying land is unsuitable for development, which must continue to be concentrated on its margins; continuous ribbon development in this area would be detrimental to landscape character and would dominate local views.