Land for Sale in County Antrim

# Land for Sale in County Antrim

County Antrim presents compelling opportunities for land buyers across Northern Ireland's most populous and economically diverse region. Stretching from the dramatic Causeway Coast in the north to the shores of Belfast Lough in the south, Antrim encompasses everything from the urban fringes of Belfast to remote upland plateaus. The county's 1,093 square miles offer remarkable variety—from productive agricultural lowlands in the Bann Valley to the distinctive basalt escarpments of the Antrim Plateau, each with distinct planning considerations and investment potential.

The land market in County Antrim reflects its dual character as both Northern Ireland's economic powerhouse and a region of outstanding natural beauty. Agricultural land prices typically range from £8,000 to £15,000 per acre for quality grazing and tillage ground, with premium dairy land in the Ballymena and Ballymoney areas commanding higher values. Development land near Belfast's expanding urban fringe can reach significantly higher values, particularly in commuter belt locations with good transport links. The county's diverse landscape—from the fertile valleys to the scenic coastal strips—means land buyers must carefully consider both the physical characteristics and planning context of any potential purchase.

For those exploring land investment opportunities across Northern Ireland, understanding the local market dynamics is crucial. Our comprehensive guide to buying land in the UK provides essential context, whilst professional land valuation services can help you assess specific opportunities in County Antrim's varied marketplace.

Types of Land Commonly Available in County Antrim

Agricultural Land dominates the county's rural areas, with grazing ground particularly prevalent in the upland areas around Ballymena and the Glens of Antrim. The Bann Valley and lowland areas towards Lough Neagh feature quality tillage land suitable for cereals and potatoes, whilst dairy farming remains strong throughout the county. Field sizes vary considerably—from traditional smaller holdings in the Glens to larger commercial units in the central lowlands. Drainage can be a consideration in lower-lying areas, particularly near Lough Neagh.

Development Land opportunities cluster around Belfast's northern suburbs and the main commuter towns of Lisburn, Carrickfergus, and Antrim. The Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan and local development plans identify growth areas, though planning permission remains competitive. Infill sites within settlement limits of market towns like Ballymena and Ballymoney periodically come to market, often with strong residential development potential.

Forestry and Woodland holdings appear regularly, particularly on the slopes of the Antrim Plateau and in areas unsuitable for intensive agriculture. Commercial conifer plantations exist alongside smaller deciduous woodlands, with amenity and carbon sequestration value increasingly recognised by buyers.

Coastal and Amenity Land along the famous Causeway Coast commands premium prices, though outright sales are relatively rare. Smaller plots with renovation potential or sites for holiday accommodation do come to market, particularly in tourist hotspots around Ballycastle, Cushendall, and Portrush.

Equestrian Properties have seen growing demand, particularly within commuting distance of Belfast. Parcels of 10-30 acres with stabling potential or existing facilities appeal to both local and returning diaspora buyers.

Notable Features and Infrastructure

County Antrim's infrastructure credentials significantly enhance its land investment appeal. The M2 motorway provides rapid access from Belfast through Antrim town towards the northwest, whilst the M5 serves the Newtownabbey area. The improving A26 Frosses Road has enhanced connectivity to Ballymena and beyond. Rail connections operate from Belfast to Larne (serving Carrickfergus and Whitehead) and from Belfast through Antrim to Londonderry, with park-and-ride facilities benefiting commuter-belt land values.

Belfast International Airport at Aldergrove and the Port of Larne provide strategic economic assets, creating employment clusters and supporting logistics-related development. The Belfast Harbour expansion and associated infrastructure investment continues to drive demand for commercial and industrial land in the greater Belfast area.

The county boasts two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: the Causeway Coast AONB and the Antrim Coast and Glens AONB. These designations provide statutory landscape protection, significantly restricting development potential but maintaining scenic and environmental value. The Giant's Causeway UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts over 1 million visitors annually, supporting tourism-related land uses. For buyers considering land within these protected landscapes, environmental and planning constraints require careful evaluation through professional valuation services.

Lough Neagh, the UK's largest freshwater lake, dominates the county's western boundary. Its shores support important wetland habitats and commercial eel fishing, though development is heavily restricted. The Glens of Antrim—nine distinctive glacial valleys running from the plateau to the coast—create dramatic topography with significant planning implications.

Planning and Development Considerations

Navigating County Antrim's planning landscape requires understanding both strategic policy and local context. The Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan and individual council local development plans provide the framework, with planning permission requirements varying significantly between urban, rural, and protected areas.

Agricultural Dwellings: Policy CTY10 permits farm dwellings where active farming businesses can demonstrate need, but criteria are stringent. A minimum farm size, business activity level, and proof that the dwelling is essential to the farm operation are required. Speculative land purchases banking on residential permission face considerable uncertainty.

Replacement Dwellings: Existing dwelling sites in the countryside may qualify for replacement under Policy CTY3, offering one development route. Original building footprints and curtilage require careful verification.

Ribbon Development: Historical settlement patterns mean some rural roads feature established building lines. However, new ribbon development is generally resisted, and gap sites face detailed scrutiny regarding impact on character and road safety.

Environmental Considerations: Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) exist throughout Antrim, particularly along the coast and around Lough Neagh. The NI Environment Agency maintains flood maps indicating risk areas, particularly along river valleys and coastal zones. Peatland areas on the Antrim Plateau face additional development restrictions.

Contamination: Former industrial sites, particularly around Belfast, Carrickfergus, and Larne, may carry contamination risks requiring investigation. Historical linen mills, gasworks, and harbour-related industry have left legacies requiring assessment before land transactions complete.

Access Requirements: Planning authorities require appropriate vehicular access meeting visibility and safety standards. Single-track rural roads or lands lacking road frontage face significant hurdles for development permission.

Multiple planning authorities serve County Antrim—Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, and Belfast City Council—each with specific local policies. Pre-application discussions are strongly advised for any development proposals.

Investment Potential and Market Trends

County Antrim's land market demonstrates resilient fundamentals underpinned by population growth, economic diversification, and constrained supply. The 618,000 population creates sustained demand for housing, particularly around Belfast's expanding commuter belt where young professionals and families seek more affordable alternatives to city-centre living.

Agricultural land values have shown modest but steady appreciation, supported by stable farming incomes and limited supply coming to market. Dairy farming profitability—particularly important in Antrim—has maintained demand for quality grazing ground. However, Brexit-related subsidy changes and environmental payment schemes may gradually influence valuations, potentially favouring land with habitat creation or carbon sequestration potential.

Development land near Belfast and main towns continues to attract competitive bidding, though market timing relative to planning cycles matters considerably. Infrastructure investment—including the proposed Belfast Transport Hub and ongoing harbour expansion—creates ripple effects through adjacent land values. Developers and investors monitor local development plan progress closely, identifying lands likely to be rezoned or brought within settlement limits.

Lifestyle and amenity purchases have strengthened post-pandemic, with buyers seeking rural properties within commuting distance of Belfast or coastal locations offering quality of life benefits. This trend particularly affects smaller holdings of 5-20 acres where planning permission for renovation or carefully-sited new builds might be achievable.

Returning diaspora represent a distinct buyer segment, often seeking family land or holdings in ancestral areas of the Glens or rural Antrim. These buyers may pay premiums for emotional or heritage connections, though securing planning permission remains challenging without established local connections or demonstrated farm business plans.

Commercial and industrial land around Belfast, the airport, and major road junctions remains tightly held, with competition from institutional investors and developers. Logistics and distribution sectors show particular interest given Northern Ireland's unique post-Brexit trading position.

Risk factors include planning policy uncertainty, infrastructure delivery timescales, and broader economic conditions affecting both agricultural commodity prices and development activity. Climate change considerations—including increased flood risk and extreme weather—require factoring into long-term land investment decisions, particularly for low-lying or coastal holdings.

For prospective buyers, conducting thorough due diligence through professional land valuation services and obtaining specialist planning and legal advice before committing to purchases cannot be overstated. County Antrim's diverse opportunities reward well-researched, patient approaches over speculative positioning.