"The Banbridge District has many beautiful features which must be maintained and not allowed to be blighted through insensitive development. The already high environmental standards of this area can be maintained and sustained if everyone works towards this common goal."
Ken Forbes, Director of Environmental Services, Banbridge District Council

Overview :: The Banbridge District has a rich natural heritage. Primarily rural with a distinctive drumlin landscape, the River Bann and River Lagan flow through the area adding to its diversity. It has one planning conservation area in Dromore, one area of special scientific interest at Lackan Bog and in the east the Dromara hills form the Slieve Croob sector of the Mourne and Slieve Croob Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The area has no country parks, no National Trust properties, no large parks and there are few areas to which the public has formal access. A small section of Castlewellan Forest Park falls within the area.

1. Promote sustainable and efficient waste management in the District.
2. Promote biodiversity and environmental protection as underlying concepts within the local area plan and promote the development of local biodiversity plans.
3. Raise awareness and improve the sustainable management and protection of the local environment.
4. Build the skills of the local farming sector to become the primary custodians of the countryside.
5. Increase the range of managed countryside recreation opportunities in the area.

1. Identify areas as possible Sites of Local Conservation Interest.
2. Develop countryside recreation opportunities in the area through the assertion and maintenance of public rights of way and the creation of new walks.
3. Provide further visitor amenities and sustainable visitor parking and picnic sites.
4. Investigate the possibility of drawing up a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for the area.
5. Participate in the Southern Waste Management Partnership and implement the Council’s Waste Management Plan.

1. Provide a new Community Recycling Centre in the Banbridge/Gilford area.
2. Extend the kerbside collection scheme for recyclable goods to all parts of the District.
3. Explore other possible access and conservation schemes.
4. Continue work on maintaining rights of way within the District.