Conservation Areas

In managing development within these areas the guiding principle is to afford special regard to the desirability of enhancing its character or appearance where an opportunity to do so exists, or to preserve its character or appearance where an opportunity to enhance does not arise.

The special character of our conservation areas relates to the quality and interest of an area as a whole, rather than just individual buildings.

The designation of Conservation Areas plays a vital role in preserving and enhancing the Borough’s built heritage.

These areas have supported the sympathetic restoration and regeneration of many historic buildings, some of which had previously lost elements of their original character.

The designation of Conservation Areas plays a crucial role in safeguarding the Borough’s built heritage.

It has supported the sympathetic restoration of historic buildings, many of which had lost elements of their original character.

Conservation Area designations, alongside their associated design guides, continue to shape and influence development, ensuring that historic areas are maintained in a manner that respects their unique character.

These areas also provide environmental and economic benefits, enhancing tourism, heritage-related leisure activities and making them attractive places to live, work, shop and do business.

Conservation Areas in Mid and East Antrim

Within Mid and East Antrim there are five Conservation Areas, each with their own specific design advice contained in the relevant designation booklets.

All development proposals in Conservation Areas will be required to be of a high quality and sensitive design and be based on a careful consideration of issues such as height, scale, form, massing, alignment, materials and finishes.

Proposals must have regard to published supplementary planning guidance, such as Conservation Area Design Guides.

The Conservation Area Design guides should help inform the preparation and submission of development proposals and will be used by us in assessing applications, along with the Strategic Planning Policy Statement (on the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) website) and the Historic Environment policies within the Council's Local Development Plan 2030 - Plan Strategy (on our Issuu platform) (adopted October 2023).

Below are the existing Conservation Areas, along with their associated design guides and designation dates:

Carnlough Conservation Area

- designated in 1981, includes the historic core of the village and the listed harbour area.

The Carnlough Conservation Area Design Guide (on the DfI website) was published in April 1994.

Carrickfergus Conservation Area

- The historic core, Castle, and harbour area were designated as a CA in 1991 due to its unique architectural inheritance, layout, and arrangement of the buildings and terraces within the town walls, which provides a unique pattern to the local townscape, and has remained largely unaltered since the 13th Century.

The Carrickfergus Conservation Area Design Guide (on the DfI website) was published in June 1989.

Glenarm Conservation Area

- Designated as a Conservation Area in 1978, the CA includes the historic core of the village, the harbour area, and the extensive Glenarm Castle with its impressive gardens and parkland.

Glenarm Conservation Area Design Guide (on the DfI website) was published in April 1994.

Gracehill Conservation Area

- Designated as a CA in 1975 (Variation 1997), the CA includes the historic core of the village, formal street pattern, principal buildings, and public and private spaces, and the Moravian Church and Graveyard.

The Gracehill Conservation Area Design Guide (on the DfI website) was published in January 2003.

Whitehead Conservation Area

- Designated as a CA in 1992, the CA includes the historic core of the town and radiates out from the Railway Station towards the coastline at Marine Parade and the fine Victorian and Edwardian residential villas to the west.

The ​Whitehead Conservation Area Design Guide (on the DfI website) was published in November 1992.

The boundaries of each Conservation Area can be viewed online via the Mid and East Antrim Local Development Plan Map Viewer (on our Arcis maps platform).

Tree Protection in Conservation Areas

Under The Planning (Trees) Regulations (NI) 2015, trees within Conservation Areas are automatically protected as if covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).

Anyone proposing tree works within a Conservation Area must provide the Council with six weeks’ notice, detailing the location, proposed works and reasons.

Work must not commence until the Council has responded or the six-week period has expired.

If the Council considers the works inappropriate, a formal TPO may be issued to protect the trees.

More information can be found on our Trees & Hedges page.