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Coast And Countryside
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Limavady Borough Coast and Countryside
The Limavady Borough has a range of diverse landscapes and habitats within its 226 square miles. This is reflected in the number of protective designations that exist throughout the area.
You can use the e-mail addresss below as a point of contact for countryside recreation issues, whether it is a request for information or a comment you wish to make.
Email: countryside@limavady.gov.uk
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Binevenagh AONB - The expanse of lands at Magilligan contrast with the cliffs at Binevenagh, Gortmore and Eagle's Hill. Magilligan Strand is one of the finest beaches in the province stretching for 9 kilometres from Downhill to the mouth of Lough Foyle.
Sperrins AONB - The southern end of the Borough lies within the Sperrins AONB, Banagher Glen, Benbradagh, Glenshane and Corrick Mountain are some of the features to be seen in this mountainous area.
Areas of Special Scientific Interest
ASSI's are areas of land that are protected by reason of their flora, fauna or geological, physiographical or other features. Access to these sites may be restricted.
There are currently thirteen ASSI sites in the Borough
- Aghanloo Wood
- Altmover Glen
- Ballymacallion
- Ballyrisk More
- Banagher Glen
- Binevenagh
- Bovevagh
- Carn/Glenshane
- Castle River Valley
- Lough Foyle
- Magilligan
- River Roe & tributaries
- Smulgedon
Special Areas of Conservation
Magilligan candidate Special Area of Conservation was the first site to be put forward in the Borough because of the sand dune system and associated vegetation. It is one of the largest dune systems of its type in the UK. Access to the beach is possible at Magilligan Point and at Benone, some restrictions may apply at other access points to the beach.
Three other areas have now been forwarded to the European Commission as candidate Special Areas of Conservation. They are Banagher Glen because of it's ancient woodland, Binevenagh because of its grassland and screes and Carn/Glenshane because of its blanket bog.
Special Protection Area
SPA sites are internationally important areas for breeding, over-wintering and migrating birds. Lough Foyle is one of eleven such sites designated in Northern Ireland and includes part of the Lough Foyle and Magilligan ASSI's. Large shallow sea lough including the estuary of the River Roe, intertidal areas of mudflats and sandflats and saltmarsh. The site supports over 20,000 migratory wildfowl including Red-Throated diver, Teal, Shelduck and Red-breasted Merganser.
Ramsar Site
Fifteen in Northern Ireland of which Lough Foyle is one, important as a waterfowl habitat and the various mud and sand flats that support many different types of flora and fauna.
National Nature Reserves
Currently five NNR's in the Borough
- Ballymaclary - Access prohibited except under guidance of warden
- Banagher Glen - Access prohibited except under guidance of warden
- Binevenagh - Unrestricted access
- Magilligan Point - Greater part of reserve by permit only as it lies in MOD property, public area unrestricted.
- Roe Estuary - Unrestricted access
Other Designations
Benone Nature Reserve - Maintained by Limavady BC, access unrestricted.
Umbra Nature Reserve - Maintained by Ulster Wildlife Trust, access to members only
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