Note that you can only apply to the Down Rural Area Partnership for NI Rural Development Programme funding if you reside in either the Ards, Banbridge, Down and North Down local authority areas, and are mainly based, or plan to be based, in either a rural locality or in a settlement with a population of 4,500 inhabitants or less.

North Down

The Borough of North Down is situated on the southern shores of Belfast Lough in Northern Ireland.  It covers an area of 88 square kms, which combines attractive coastline with many pleasant open spaces.  The population of North Down was estimated to be 79,810 in 2007  and has grown by 4.6% since the 2001 Census. Approximately 10% of people (7,981) live in rural areas across North Down.
 
The main town in the Borough is Bangor, Northern Ireland’s second largest town (60,000 population).  It is a seaside resort, market town and home to North Down Borough Council.  The area’s secondary centre is Holywood, 8kms northeast of Belfast with a population of approximately 10,000.  Most of the remainder of the population live in suburban villages along the coastline, such as Seahill, Crawfordsburn and Groomsport.     

North Down is a popular tourist destination.  Bangor is home to Ireland's largest marina, which attracts yachtsmen from all over the world and the North Down Coastal Path is well used by visitors throughout the year.  As well as seaside activities, North Down boasts many parks (including the most visited park in Northern Ireland, Crawfordsburn Country Park), six 19-hole golf courses, North Down Museum, Pickie Fun Park and the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra (the most popular visitor attraction in Northern Ireland).  A varied events programme throughout the spring and summer months keeps the Borough popular with visitors. 

Statistics demonstrate a general decline in farming activity across North Down, along with a higher than average increase, in farming diversification. In 2002 there were 81 farms in North Down; in 2007 there were 73.  This represents a decrease of almost 10% in 5 years. In 2002 there were 202 people employed on farms in North Down; in 2007 there were 168. This represents a decrease of almost 17%. In 2005, over 23% of farms in North Down had some diversification activity (such as equine sports, tourism and direct sales). This compares to an average of 9.4% across NI. This is the first occasion that North Downs rural sector has been eligible to engage in the Down Rural Area Partnership under the Rural Development Programme 2008 – 2013.

Ards

Ards, situated on the shores of Strangford Lough and the Irish Sea with a landscape characterised by drumlins and dramatic views, is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Special Scientific Interest, comprising 140 square miles and bounded by 90 miles of coastline.

The population of the Borough has grown steadily and now stands at 77,400, representing 4.4% of the population of Northern Ireland. Ards remains one of the fastest growing Boroughs and the population is expected to rise to over 81,000 by 2012 (Source: Census, NISRA).

The main centre of population is Newtownards, the Borough’s capital town, with Comber, Donaghadee and Portaferry the next largest settlements. The rest of the Borough is largely rural with small towns and villages including Ballygowan, Ballyhalbert, Ballywalter, Carrowdore, Cloughey, Greyabbey, Killinchy, Kircubbin, Millisle and Portavogie.

Given the area’s scenic beauty and historical interest, tourism is a significant and growing part of the local economy and while the clothing and textiles sector – traditionally a major employer in the Borough – has declined dramatically, Ards is establishing a diverse economy, particularly in the added value food, creative media, horticultural, agricultural and crafts sectors. The development of business parks to the east and west of Newtownards comprising around 20 acres of commercial land, signals the importance of private and public sector investment to enable our indigenous businesses to grow in the Ards Borough.

The area’s rural backdrop, coupled with the importance of Newtownards as a regional development centre within a Great Belfast Metropolitan Area, gives Ards both a prime tourism development opportunity and access to key local, national and international markets.

Banbridge

Situated to the north west of County Down, the Banbridge District covers a total of 180 square miles and stretches from Dromore in the north to Rathfriland in the south and from Gilford in the west to Ballyward in the east. The main town is Banbridge, followed by Dromore, Rathfriland and Gilford. The District has 4 villages and 19 settlements. The Banbridge District has a rich natural and built heritage with a range of diverse habitats, including river, mountain, fell and farm land. Many ancient archaeological sites dot the area and add to its appeal. With its beautiful drumlin landscape and abundance of natural and built assets, it is the main gateway to the Mourne Mountains. The River Bann and River Lagan flow through the District. Its quality landscape has resulted in several statutory designations, such as the Lackan Bog Area of Special Scientific Interest and the Mourne and Slieve Croob Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Agriculture, forestry and fishing play an important role in the District’s economy with a total of 40,058 hectares being used in 2003 for farming purposes. Its 1,210 farms account for 4% of the total number of farms in Northern Ireland. 3% of farms in the area are classified as large, 13% as medium and 84% as either small or very small. The average farm size in the District in 2003 was 31.3 hectares, whereas the average size in Northern Ireland was 31.9 hectares. Approximately 2390 people work in the District’s agricultural sector. Cattle, sheep and dairy are the most common types of farm businesses. The Mourne Heritage Trust is a key organisation working to develop and support the District’s rural economy.

The Banbridge District has a rich assortment of places to visit comprising mostly wonderful examples of the area’s natural heritage sites. The most popular places to visit include: Bronte Homeland, Dromore Mound, F.E. McWilliam Gallery and Studio, Fergusons Irish Linen Centre, Finnis Souterrain, Legananny Dolmen, Newry Canal Towpath and Scarva Visitor Centre. 

Down

Down district, which is situated in the south east of Northern Ireland, has a population of approximately 68,000. The town of Downpatrick is the administrative headquarters and is also the reputed burial place of St Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland. In addition to Downpatrick, the district includes the market town of Ballynahinch and the coastal resort of Newcastle.

A number of small rural settlements and fishing villages including Ardglass, Castlewellan, Saintfield and Strangford complete the area.

The main industry in the district is tourism and the seaside resort of Newcastle is one of the most popular visitor resorts in Northern Ireland. The resort nestles between the Irish Sea and the Mountains of Mourne and is within a designated area of outstanding natural beauty. Recently Down District Council completed a major regeneration programme in Newcastle. Significant projects included a new promenade, streetscape scheme and a shop front improvement programme.

A regeneration scheme has been completed in the fishing village of Ardglass which included environmental improvements, interpretation and the provision of play facilities.

Future proposals for Down include a Public realm Scheme in Downpatrick and plans are also underway to develop design proposals for an improvement scheme in Saintfield.

The Down Business Park, situated on the Belfast Road, is home to number of manufacturing businesses employing over 400 people.