PORTAFERRY: Area

1

Thealms;and polides set out inthis booklet are.for the g u i d a ~of DlstrletCoundh, pububtlobdes, local residents, landlordsand

tenants, intending developera and amenity and other group.

sets m the general objectives of ddgnadng Conservation Areas and theprinciple8 d dalgnation;

PART If dss*tlbes the Conseweblon Area of PortaCrry;

PART Ill canrains a developers brlef for the designatedarea.

The bookletshould be ragarcledasbwtaWlC.pin securingthespecialarehitcrcturalor hiataricinterestafthedesignatedArea. It

Is anticipatedthat local hWstEve and d i m d e n wilt give: riseto proposalslor repair and rmoratlve work8 and developments

which will not only prwlve hatwill poaizively enhancethe Am's spacial chars-r. Designationwill bs of IittIeprrtdlcalvaba

Without this 10~alsuppoh

Thiiise publicationbythe DepartmentaftheEnvlronrnent{Nflwhich isresponelbleforthe deglgnation&Consewdon Ar~asand

whose Dlvislonal Planning OPdmare respawibk for development ccntral.

mm-

8.

Developmentwithin a GonrlenationAre&will becontrolledwith the primary aim of ensuringthe retentionand importanamdthe

A m " scharacter. Every possibleeffort wlll be madeto presenrethe Indhridual buildings and groups of buildingson wh i~hthat

1. Where permission Issought to demolish or alter e buildingwhich has bsen listed under the Planning (NI) Order 1972as of

specialarchieeturalor historicinterest, orto demolishany other buildfng, it will beneoesserytudernonsftat~thatsucb worb

would irt thernseks by an enhancement or that thgy ere required for overriding and exceptional reasons relating to the

A, brtrradusalon

1. fhs Planning fNI)Order 1472 provided legisletionfor the flmt time In Northern Intlandfor the protection of the Pravlnds

heritageof buildingsof speclalarchitecturalot historic interm and for the deaIgnetlngofwhoisareas of similar interestthe

character or appeamce of which it is desirable to prmerve or enhance.

2. White respondbiiityfor the statutory listingofHistoricBuildings andhrtheWgnatlrig of ConswationAreas restswlththe

Departmentd theEnvironmenttarNort)lemlmlandonevStstlyimportantpridplaneedstobeWblishedatonce. Thetaskd

conserving the heritage of Ulster cannet be [eftsolely to Gorernmsnt Departments, a sprinkling of voluntary bodies and a

bsnd, albeit a growing one, of respongrble Conrtervdon!sts.

3. The messagethat "'ConsewatloninNorthernIreland irp theconcern of everyone'%wtfind itsway into boardroomsofevery

Und, hto publicandvoluntary bodieswithdhremeeimsandobjw!vm, intoschoolsanduniversities, htofactoriesandshops

and into the homm of every citizen Mether they be In large conurbtjons or in lonely mm1settings.

F 4. TheaimofConrwation m*cnaba wnfinndrimplym kwphgn r e a n dbulldinp~piaasanttolooks t a r a r m r dd m m a

aspect of histow. It must additionally involveasoontinulng life and function of the areas in a pm~lntday context

2. Newbuildings will be a p e d toW e acwuntof thecharacter oftheir neighbours. Thgyshuld inmassandoutline, c d n u e

(where applkable) the rhythm of a srntert sssna.

3. Matetlab shoutd generally be sympathetic in texture, calour and qualfty to tradUonal local usage.

4. Changes of uee necmssitating a planning applicationwhich am likely to have madverstl effect on land or buildings which

comibmesignificantly to the character of Consewation Areas wlDl nat normally be permitted.

6. Thesitlngof new open spaces will be carefully considedtoensurethatthmy make a pcwisive mn'trlbution totheConservation

Area and that proper provision Zs made for their maintenance.

6. It is desirable that applicants should consult Informally with the DivDsional Planning M o a , Rathdune Houm, New Bridge

Street Downpatrick. (Telrphone Downpatrick3721), beforethe preparation of det~ilad plans to avoid unnemsmry expense

beceuse the Divisional Planning Officewlll normally expm planning applicatiuna, submind in respect of shm or buldings

withinCongervetionAreas,to besubmitred withfull detailsin order toensure etthe inltlal planning stegethat the development

is satisfactory in all respects to the needg 05 the Conrrervation Area.

7. Developmentnear, but notinside a Conwrv~8on Area andvisually related to it,should be slted and designed insize, fommd

rnatedalr to be in harmony wfth the buildings and general sppearance af the Conrervation Area.

8. Under the Planning (General Development) Order (NI) 1S73 certain typea of development do not require &p%cEcplaniring

permission. However, the Dapartment has power to direct that In any partiwtar area these types of development should

r ~ u l r eplanntng permission. Such diredons could be applied in Conservation Areas W

E ~ A c t l o n

S&ernes will be antmuraged to initiateand, where appropriate,to undertakeworks for thevisujel improvement dbuildingsand

aItea kisantldputedthatDiWaCsunclls msy play smutng role InUlefomnuldng ofsuch sohem&. Themwould Inelude the

re-prsintlng of neqleeted buildtngr the removal ornsplacsmentof ~ s t dand broken fevnws and the dwrlngeway of rubbish.

Appropriate asps will bs expsctsd to be taken by those responsible ta tidy up, lnprwa end enhance the appearance of

'Consrrrradorc Arms by the coma1 of street furniture, overhead WansrnSsgion lingo of all kinds and to emre the rmaval of

undesirableexamplea of the [attarwhere at all p d b t e .

ExlstlngadvarHmentg andsignsof all types dlaplayadInthe A m will bathesublea of spedalconsiderdon a d kishopedthat

withthe cosparation oflocal businese men thenumberofedvefidsernemdfspleydwithin a ConservationArea couldber e d u d

to a QImreetId ,

Prctr~ewation Orders wtll be mada to protect trees or groups of trees which form an esr~edalfeature in the dharauter of the

ConservationArea. Tha general appearance ofmanyofth-e wfII befurther enhanced byt h ~ lselectiveplanting of additional trees

C and sowing of rrr

In some Conssrvation Areas, aGhernee far pedleaJJanleaicn might be appropriate end as such would be carrid out by the

PepartmentoftheEnvironment.Prt#wKI.tsecurity arrangements hare acoustomed people tothemnoeptdvghlcie-frwarmsandit

irr widely accspltdthat the opportunity should now betaken toereate permanent padman zones. It wikl ba the fnta~ionofthe

Depament to carry outworks for the improvement d the amenlty of auch areas.

The R a e C Sewice will tske all p w b l e action to eneurqthe management af p d W a n end vehicular tramc movement Inthe

interesbsof the amenitiescatSetfngInaConservationArea, Adon will alsobe takenwherever possibleto ensureth8tbheparking of

motorvehicles andthe I$eetl.onofcar parks kcarded out in such a mannet as to have the minimum d%ct on thecharneter of an

A m .

The use of floodlighting at night oould in many eases be particularly d e e i i *

If, beforedesignationofan A m , indMdualillstingsof brsfldlngsof special erchlhra or historicInter& havenotalready been

considered by the Depwttment of the Environment (NI) early action will be taken by tha Departmentd b r msuttationwith the

HistoricBuildingsOaunclil and the apprapriate Mgtrlct Councll to con6dder appropriate listings.

Inconldsring whemes for tonsrtnratlonthe potentials for self-financing operdons should not be lightly ignored andthe fullest

consideration should be given at an early stageto the use of vokntary. contributions, gifts,Jnprne from sales and leases, etc., -see under "other grants" below.

D.p.rbmAntmfth. Envlronmmnt[M)

The Department may give financial asshnce towlirds the cost of repairs or maintenance of buldings

which have been iistedas being of spedal architectural or historic interat. There is no fixed rate of grant

and each Eaae is caneiderad on its merits. Grants are made on the recammendations of the Historic

Buildings Council for Northern Ireland. Chufhes in use for ecclgsiasdeal purposm are not eligible for

grant-aid. I

I. '

' h m e;*pine mayelse athe recammndaUone of d. Hiartoric Bui~dlnge Council ronsid.rforpmwid

axpenditure ta be'incurredin connestion with the prmwvstlon crr enhancement of a Consmrvationh* . -Such expenditure should normally k related to a co-ordinated schema.

.b.' a

Details from ~lator@~o,numen~s(k Buildingri Branch bp&pknt of #hiEnviionrnsm(NI) f ~cribb~ook'$inu~ BELFWS?'~T~., i- :.!EiH,jTalephone Belfast 653261)

r;... . -1- 4 . ... D*plrtm.l#tof M u d o n

Dl8tdctCoudlshave8dutyto rewrefarthelrareasadgcfuatehdlfticrsforrecreational, soda8,physieal and

cukural adMtle6 andthe approved &pensea ofa DfstrICt Council for such purposes may k grant-aided

under the Remeationand Ywrh ~enr loe ' (~ ,~ ) 1973.S&r

DtttaiIm from

Details from

Alorthem lreknd M d n g E*-

Headquarters

Newtownards Area

OthwOnnOl

Sports & R e ~ W o nBnnch Department of E d u d o n LondonderryHouse Chichestep S t m BEUAST BTI 4JJ (Telephone Balfest 234898)

I bThe acquisition d lands for public open spaces for these purgoses may also be grant-aided by the Departmentof the Environment (NI).

Granb af up to 76% may INmade under S d o n 10 of the Local Gwmment Aet (NI) 1986.

ConatrrvanionBranch Department of the Environment (NI) Starmont BELFAST 8T4 3SS (Telephone Belfast 788716)

The Housing(Northern Iralandl Order 1981 enables the Northem Ireland Housing Execudveto pay grants towards the oogt of Improvernerrt, Conversion and Repair.

All grants am subject ta certainconditions and full dmils may be obtainedof any Office of the Northern Ireland Houainfg Executhre.

2 Adelaide Street BELFAST BTZ 8PB (Telephone Bslfast 24058E)

23-25 Regent Sweet 'NEWTOWNARDS BM3 4AD {Telephone Nmtownards 81W)

eharftable Trusts are sometimes wJlting to help with conservation of buildings in cha*ble or other nowproat making ownership.The PllgrimTrust may km preparedto gksgram of thisson The Landmark Trust is interestedin purchasing ptopardea of historical or architectural Interest which can be wlnvemd into lettable holiday houses. They particularly favour buildings of indMdual character. Thm Cmmmglo

U n W KlngdmnTrorL makes grants to support mntrydde projab of various kinds. These include schemes for prsetSml consswation but not for the prssewation of bwildiryls. i.Oetalla may be had from:

{a) Pilgrim Trust, Hrrlden Hwrse, Lid@College Stm& London,SW1P 3SH; (bl LandmarkTrust, Shotresbmoka, White Weltham, Berkshire; (4Garnegle United Kingdom Tnrstl Comely Park House, Dunfwrnline, Fife.

For detailsof other grant-giving bodies, rd3wence may be made to 'The Directoryof Grant-MakingT r u W published by the Nsbionel Council of Sadel Swieas.

WRTAFmRY

Armstrong, G. F.

Armstrong, G. F.

Green, E. R, R.

Hill, G.

QENUUOh

Camblin G.

Civic Trust

Civic Trust

Grewswell P.

HMSO

HMSO

S h a m P.

Caldwell P. and Dixon N.

S4Wgcs of thr A r k -18BB

TheHbrory qfthe Savage Fa&& Ulsrcr -19015.

IntiWrial Arckaeolagy of Co. Down -1963.

f i e Monigolrrru~1Mumam&& -1868.

Journals 4f the Elppr Anis Hisrmicaf Socfcrty Volumes 1,2 and 3.

History Of Co. D;mvn -1876.

An Hbm'd Ace- 6/the D W S I #Down omi C o m r -1878 Vol. l.

Pigds DJmf~ry-1m4. d Times o f h . John Orr -1917.

Sker's Directory -1W.

St. Pnrrick's C h A BdphiIIip, Ckrnc~tyS w e d r -1B62

List* Portqbry and Strtm&md -Survey t969,

ThzTmvnin Ulster. 1951: a hisforyofthe origin ariddevelopment of the, plans oftownainthePxovince.

C w e w a h n Zn Adon 1972: B progress report on Britain's Consewation Areas.

Frida q f P k 1972: a manual of environmimtal improvement.

W o m n r :RAA l p M c a l H a M . 9971: a guide to environmental wnservation.

The PImvdng (Nonhern~rrckmdfOr& 1972

The Plming ( R r n e ~ ~ (Nkmhm Z h c & d I Order 1978

17rr I h h Town:m approach to t o f v a l , 19713 a study of the proMerns of planning in Irish towns.

8-8 C m n Irr N o r t h Ireland. 1975: includes a directory of Consetve.tionOrganisations in

Norlhern Ireland.

Part 2

PORTAFERRY m R M A T 1 0 N AREA

2.1 T h e hmuchmdmhistoryapparartt Inthe emrlmnsof Portaferrybut it was natuntilthe middk of the 17thGsnturythata

town bagan to develop on the mite.

2.2 Ternplrbcranney Church,althoughthe present mlns are af 17th century dating, Is consideredto have b e n founded in the

middleagrw and thefowar Hwsiewas cenrrtruaedbythe Savage family Inthsearfy years of the 1&h Centwry. Howeret the

maJorZtyof the buildingsinthetown date from the hundred y a m dptoaprity fromthe middieof the 18thCsnturyr untilthe

mtd-19th Century.

2.3 It waa the Montgornery's, relabns In marriage to the Savagtm who Rrst resalid the potential of thm tomlon. hidtly ft

dsveloped into a thriving port suppoltEng a wide vad* d tradea end manufacturing industries.

2*4 The fabdc of the tcwn today h m dear ts9ttmmy to this prosperity In Its merchants' houses and werehouses and

individually distinctive features, for example,the rapewalk anddistillery.The wide variety oftrade andindustryisbarnsout

by the enhimt In the Trade dim at or it^ of the tlme.

2.6 The inc~eaglingdraught requid by hip8 end a genrrrsl nattonal economic decline ammated by the famlne and

subsequent emigration, brought a gradual end to t h i m goldan age.

mum@tw

2.8 The GonsewatlonArm comprises much of the alder village and a number of faetonmmblneto gire the area a dlsttRctive

charmer.T ~ Bmedieval originsof Portsferrytogetherwttb thevillage's a u h q u m t roleas e markettown andcommercial , -!

-- - -c1.. P _ -p

I centrehaveI& avaluable architQctural hwbge. Localtopography has alsobeeninflumtial withudr ofthe seltlemet built

on the drumlln slapsa which orerlookthe narrow of Strangford Laugh. The partternofbuilding mphasisea the traditional

md indlv3dualistie character of the town,

2-7 Pkn fonn

The plan-formof the corrsewatlon area Ispartly linear and partly nudeated. The linear form is madeupofthree main axes,a

north south axis comprisingthe eoncwe sweep af development along the Lough Shore and eastwest mm amprising the

two main streets Of Portsfsny, ChurchStreet(M0toKircubbin)and High Street(A2to Portavogie). Both converge on Market

Square which ia Inturn llnked to &m Lough Shore by Ferry S t M end Castle Street

2.8 Tha Market Square forme the dominant nudaus and is enclosed by groups of Georgian terraced and mid 19th centuryr

buildings of various styles. The Market House, atwo storey buildingwith a hippad roof built in f752 and reconstruct& In

1800, is not only the most important building visually but fundonally it a- to solve the DthenHise difficult probrem of

enclosure produced byadttepslope down to the Lough Share. Leading from the Market Square down this slope are Castle

Strm and Ferry Strset The fonner is more significant visually with a predominance of gtonr walls ovsrshadowedby th6

ruins of Poortaferry Castle. Built intheearly lf%hcenturythe ceszle Isessent3allya square castellated tower h o u ~ builtof splkt

1OSI8 rubble.the visual attraction of the castle wlouid be improvedby the removalof overheadwiresandthe adjacent public

convrmiencw. Ferry Stget is flanked by slwlng terraces of early 73th Century Georgian buildkgs.

2.9 Thrt Lough Shore frontage consists of two street$, the Strand and Shore Road, both'~nsisting of swb8tantiat two and

three-storey buildings. Marine featurea ineludethe quays, the mostprominentbeingthe Tudor Revhal house onthe former

salt pans, later uwd as the coal quay, to the south and B s b r r y quay to *h'e north. This linear development Is dominated

environmentally by Strangford Lough which is half a mile wide at this point and offers fine views of tha far shore and of

Strangford.

2.10 Inland of the Square the conaervatian area Incorporates the alder parts d Church Street and HighStreet,gath are narrow . -C W t c i m C e c l streets representing the outer Wlimit of the old village; The approach to the roirwr via church Streat.opanna up

lfitsrestlng vistas of the Square wlth gllmpses of Strangford Lough. The only other meet in the Consanration Area is

MdnghwseStrerrtwhich bdornlnatrrdbythe Presbyterian Church, a G m k Rerfwltemple. this foms a focal pointfrom

the Strangford side of the Laugh.

2.11 D#lgn801k

The M g n scale diminishes as one leaves the centre and Sends variety and Interest. bmntial to the character of the

consaw&8onarea are the wntr- Mween enclosed and open *cm andthe interestingchanges of vista. This Ismost

evidentalongChurchStreetinto the MarketSquareendfrcmthe Square to the Strand via FerryStreetand Castle StredThe

mm is comprised mainly of two-storey buildings mostly t e m d with the various groupings of buildings lndileatingthe

various stages sf dttvelopment and growth.Buildingsare generally of simple rectengular form wlth pituhedroof and gabte

ends.

2.12 mUw Isam map)

The principal bulldinas within the conservationarea are rmldential. However commercial uses occur inMarketSquare and

mainly on the northern side of High Street with occasionml shops In Ferry Street and along the Shore Road. Ground floor

@hops usually have residential a~mmodation on the upper Room.

2.13 M.GriaIs

The tradltlonal wall finish R Portaferry is a smooth cement rendering usually minted. W e r buildings are finished in

roughcastdry pebbledash, brick andstone. Pebbledash is a more recent development which is out of aharmoter. Racfsare

mainly of slate, both local Tullywvey and imported.

2,t4 D.t.lh

Many windows are still of the tnrditIonal sash type and W i n their glazing bars, Where casement windows have been

substituted for the original sash type, oa#laionally7nvolving a widening of the window openings, much of the character of

fecades has been lost. Sloping streets provide varied roof lines which add to theIr oharader. The frequent use of small

traditional dormer windows addsto thie variation. Limited mouldingdetaiiscrecur in the formof architraves around window

openings artd quoina.

2.18 PuIr&mg

Renderedwallfinishes areusually painbad white or other pastel shades. Window'kamas and glazing barsare usually painted

white. Doors and shop f d s s am painted in a range of colours.

2.16 Ifn-pm Ck.tgn

ThemOS IStHeplantingwithintheconsewatforta m . with the exception ofthe lan-ped demesneof PortaferryHousewhich

forms an important back drop to the northern part of the town when viwed from across the Lough.

Part 3 Brief for Developers within the Portaferry Conservation Area

Thbmhap Consawationarea could I b.rs-deriundCm *blend better with the shop

d l

Inaodudon

Ttre overall objective of control of development in the

ConsawationA m wlll beto ensure that so far as possible, the

main elem~nts of tts traditional character can be retained and

enhanced. Environmental enhanoement can be undertaken by

improvement, renewal, replacement and the Infiltlngof cleared

sites. This will require wrrtful and consistent control over the

appearanceof existing and new buil.dngs and control over the

uses which can be ecmrnrnodated.

Within the established cornrnerclal core of Market Square and

Lower High Street some expansion of ccprnrnercial uses will be

expected, main@ intheform of shop convemfona. Elsewhere in

the Censervation Area Tt Is anticipated that development will

mainlytaketheform of renovationandImprowemsntzo existing

dwellings.

GritMrn

fhe control offuture commcrmial devefoprnenta in the Marksz

Square and bower HighStreet should be basedon the following

criteria:

(1) Alterdons All not norrnelly be permitted to the external

appearmce of buildings above ground f lwr level, unless

they are deady in character with the meet scene. fhis is

important particularly in mmrnerciJ areas where shop

signs, etc., could poae a threat to the appearance of the

street,

th.roddun of drhshop dgn (.rb.lowJ~aaIdvorymuch inrpwul,tho -map.

(2) Shop fmmages should conform to Ooml traditional design

and materials. Existing window proponlans should be

retained posdbly by the sub-division of replacement

wind- with mullions. Shop fronts and entrances should

oonformto theexisting building lines and not be recessed.

Shopsigns should be modest and in keeping with the scale

ofthe property. Ptaetic signs will hdiscouraged. Projecting

or hanging tradrtional trade signs must be of iron or timber

and painted. In no ingtance should signs be Ift internally.

(3) While than is a variety of wall finishes within the Market

Square it is considered that developers should be

encouraged to provide painted cemant rendered finishes

where practicable in order to maintain the traditional

character.

In the remainder of the Conservation Area the

modernisation or alteration of dwellings should respect

existing character and building form. To help achisve this

the following general principles should be obsenred:

3.4 (1) DI.lgn

New buildings should be designed in sympathy wEth the

characteristic building form, espsially the buildings

trnmediately adjacent. Emphasis should be p t a d on wall

finish and roafing materialso that continuity of W l e sxlrrts.

Prasmt building Iinea should be observed avoidlng visual

interruption to tha terraced faades. Dormer window

extansionsmay be acceptabltepravldsdthey are tradhionrvt

in style, preferably with pitchad roofs. Rear ext~nsions

should be in sympathy with the form of the buildings to

whi~hthey are attached in particular the roofspass

Umultlblm& m m t a*klulon mmt of ohuretsr wWh thm rtni.t -Hcahatt..t.

(2) M w l e

Thsuseofthecorract kind of wall finish and roofing material

is vial. Smooth tendered and painted etevetjons should

normally prevail, The use of natural slate as a roafing

material is prefersble ahhough If these are unavailable,

other types of manufactured slate such as bluelgrey

asbestos slates may be acceprabla Drydash and limestone

chip finishes will generally bs Inappropriate.

14 n-11

New buildings should reflect traditional detail. Window

openings are basicallyof simple Georgian proportions and

in new development or improvement work the vedeal

emphasisinthefenestration pettern should hretained. The

qutrinlltone, although only .occasionally used In the area,

should be retainedwhere practicableand attention paid to

plasterwork detail round windows and doorways in any

renovation work.

Alteration to exfatling window openingsshould be avoided nllllng window prnpon(ms i~desirable brzlcu'rar~ytk above ground floor l m l and Were windows are to be prmewe continuity In the terraces which characterise the

rep lad , the use of mu0lions and qlszing ban to reflect area.

(4) M n @

RenderedwallRnisheslrshouldnormally bepaintedin paael

mlours end care taken te ensure that atrreced prapatia8

forming didnet erchWural units should have coherent

ccrlout schemes Doom may ba emphasised In dlffarent

colours to add intwest to bcade8.

Paint could be used to hlghlfght detail such as window

surrounds or quoin etonea.

(51 lsndrcaln fxistlng trees ere rna?nlyM c t d to the graveyard On

Church Street, on land adjoining the Castla an the Strand

andin the grounds of Pomferry Housir. Tlaeae ahwld

be retained, particulerly the latter, since the trses form an

tmpregslv@ibackdrop to the village when viewed from

across the Lough.

Tree planting will b enrxrvreged in esmciet2on with

improvement, rebuilding and replacement.

1 Pro8byt.ri.n Church, M d n g Hall.. 2 Warlno Bistogy Statbb Th. 9tnnd. Doom.y e n d

with lonlc Columns, mnrCclrcul.r mrehed hnllght. 3 Tho h r k e Houw mnd Crwt.

Pm- Old Cbrtreh [Ghuruh of ~ m m ~ l m n n ~ )mudl S-