Landscape Characterisation Map

The Landscape Characterisation Map (click to view the map) classifies the County according to its visual sensitivity and capacity to absorb new development without compromising the scenic character of certain areas. The Map has proven robust in both facilitating development and conserving fragile landscapes.

The Landscape Characterisation Map shows the following designations:

• Normal Rural Landscapes: areas with natural features (e.g. topography, vegetation) which generally have the capacity to absorb a wide range of new development forms – these are farming areas and cover most of the County.

Certain areas located within normal rural landscapes may have superior visual qualities, due to their specific topography, vegetation pattern, the presence of traditional farming or residential structures. These areas may have limited capacity for development or may be able to absorb new development only if it is designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing environment.

• Sensitive Rural Landscapes: areas that tend to be open in character, highly visible, with intrinsic scenic qualities and a low capacity to absorb new development – e.g. Knocknarea, the Dartry Mountains, the Ox Mountains, Aughris Head, Mullaghmore Head etc.
• Visually Vulnerable Areas: distinctive and conspicuous natural features of significant beauty or interest, which have extremely low capacity to absorb new development – examples are the Ben Bulben plateau, mountain and hill ridges, the areas adjoining Sligo’s coastline, most lakeshores etc.
• Scenic Routes: public roads passing through or close to Sensitive Rural Landscapes, or in the vicinity of Visually Vulnerable Areas, and affording unique scenic views of distinctive natural features or vast open landscapes.

In addition to remote views, scenic routes have often a distinctive visual character conferred by old road boundaries, such as stone walls, established hedgerows, lines of mature trees, adjoining cottages or farmyards together with their traditional, planted enclosures etc., all of which warrant protection.

The existing landscape characterisation and associated map for County Sligo will be reviewed in due course, to ensure compliance with the national and regional assessments, and with any new ministerial guidance.