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Conservation Areas
What is a Conservation Area?
Our Conservation Areas
Ardglass
Ardglass is an attractive village with a strong maritime character. It is set on the slopes of Green Hill and overlooks the open sea and focusing on the harbour to the north and east. The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland chose much of the village as a Conservation Area due to its historic significance, setting, and townscape quality.
Bessbrook
Bessbrook is of unique historical interest as one of the first nineteenth-century ‘model’ villages in Northern Ireland. These were designed to improve living conditions for industrial workers. Its character comes from close-knit row of homes laid out around two formal squares connected by Fountain Street. Most terraces date from the late 19th century and are characterised by stone walls, slated roofs, and brick detailing.
Castlewellan
The Castlewellan Conservation Area includes the historic town core. It has a spacious Main Street and formal town squares at either end. This creates a distinctive sense of place. The designation protects elements that reflect Castlewellan’s unique character and history—its streets, squares, buildings, and landscaping, It highlights opportunities to improve the town’s overall character.
Downpatrick
Downpatrick is a historic town set between two hills, with steep and narrow streets. They curve up and around to create a strong sense of enclosure. The town, largely dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, includes several buildings of special architectural interest, such as Down Cathedral and the Southwell Charity. Fine Georgian townhouses and public buildings contribute significantly to its distinctive townscape.
Killough
Killough features a broad main street (Castle Street) flanked by rows buildings. It has with wings of cottages extending north and south along the coast. Palatine Square forms a focal point at the north end of Castle Street, while Quay Street leads south to the harbour. This was once the heart of Killough's prosperity.
Killyleagh
Killyleagh’s historic core includes Georgian and Victorian terraces featuring original details such as fanlights, coach arches, quoins and sash windows. High Street, Catherine Street, and Frederick Street contain many of the town’s listed buildings and offer rewarding internal and external views. The Dibney River Valley to the north forms a natural boundary that enhances the town’s landscape setting.
Newry
Newry’s Conservation Area is notable for the variety of its individual buildings rather than a single unified design. Its diverse architectural styles and materials reflect the town’s evolution and spirit. Designated in 1983, the area was extended southwards in 1992 to include the historic Hill Street/John Mitchel Place area, and again in 2001 to include the Newry Canal and its historic setting.
Rostrevor
Rostrevor’s Conservation Area features a dense village core of 19th-century terraces and late Georgian buildings. It's surrounded by larger houses in landscaped grounds and framed by wooded mountains. The area’s character is defined by its grouping of buildings and open spaces rather than by individual architectural features. Most buildings are simple two-storey terraces with pitched roofs, reflecting different stages of the village’s growth.
Saintfield
Saintfield’s Conservation Area boundary reflects the extent of the old town’s 19th-century development. It includes Main Street, from Fair Green to the Belfast–Downpatrick Road and part of Comber Street. The realignment of the Belfast–Downpatrick route in the 1840s influenced the town’s shape. This allowed easier passage for horse-drawn carriages and coaches.
Strangford
Strangford is set around a double bay. It has buildings rising in tiers from the quays to Castle Street and Ardglass Road. The Square forms the focal point of the town, while surrounding trees and headlands give a natural sense of enclosure. Most buildings are two-storey, and new development must be in keeping with the scale and character of the area.
Development in a Conservation Area
Development within a Conservation Area must meet a high standard of design that improves or protects the area’s special qualities.
Trees often play an important role in the character of Conservation Areas. They are automatically protected as if covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). In some cases, new planting or replanting may be needed as part of development.
Click here for more information on Tree Preservation Orders.
Policy and guidance
Best practice guidance such as British Standards (BS 7913:2013) – Conservation of Historic Buildings can also assist developers and advisors in preparing suitable proposals.