Draft Belfast Playing Pitches Strategy - Equality Screening Outcome Report - Section A

Section A

Details about the policy or decision to be screened

1. Title of policy or decision to be screened:

Belfast City Council Playing Pitches and Outdoor Sport Facilities Strategy 2026–2036

2. Brief description of policy or decision to be screened:

The Playing Pitches and Outdoor Sport Facilities Strategy 2026–2036 provides a strategic framework for the future planning, development, enhancement and management of playing pitches and associated facilities across Belfast. The strategy seeks to assess current and future demand, identify gaps in provision and establish priorities for investment and improvement in playing pitch infrastructure. It builds on the previous pitches strategy which was developed in 2011.

It sets out a shared vision for how we can plan, invest in, and manage our outdoor sporting spaces over the coming years, in line with our Belfast Agenda outcomes. It provides a framework to ensure that high-quality, accessible, and sustainable facilities are available across the city, from local parks and school grounds to major sporting hubs. It also focuses on equality to represent the diversification of facility users in recent years and the environment, to ensure we make the most of new and advancing technologies when developing new and existing facilities.

This strategy has been developed in partnership with clubs, governing bodies, schools, community organisations and the wider community, reflecting our collective commitment to improving opportunities for participation. It also recognises the changing patterns of sport and recreation, the pressures on urban space, and the importance of designing facilities that are inclusive, adaptable, and environmentally responsible.

3. Aims and objectives of the policy or decision to be screened:

The Playing Pitches Strategy strives to;

Ensure an appropriate supply of playing pitches to meet current and future demand.
Support participation in sport and physical activity.
Improve the quality, accessibility and sustainability of playing pitch facilities.
Inform future investment decisions and partnership working.
Contribute to health and wellbeing outcomes.
Support inclusive access to sports participation opportunities across Belfast.

The Physical Activity and Sports Development Strategy very much highlights the council’s vision to make Belfast - A more active City

“Our inclusively active City: where, throughout the life course, everyone is able to take part in sport and physical activity to benefit their health and well-being”

The strategy aims to do more to encourage, enable and support all our residents to be more active every day to contribute to improved community health, well-being and reduced health inequalities. With limited resources the strategy will enable us to target our resources to where they will have the most impact. We need to do this in partnership while utilising our landscape and current physical infrastructure.

The physical implementation of this Strategy will support the WAGS principles which are;

W – Welcoming: Creating open, inviting spaces where people from all backgrounds feel a sense of inclusion and ownership.

A – Accessible: Ensuring physical ease of access for people of all ages and abilities, as well as integrated public transport and balanced city movement

G – Good quality: Investing in high-standard design, aesthetics, and maintenance to cultivate vibrant and attractive urban areas.

S – Safe space: Providing an environment that is free from fear, hostility, or threat, and prioritizing safeguarding for vulnerable populations

4. On whom will the policy or decision impact?

Consider the internal and external impacts (both actual or potential) and explain:

People	Actual or potential impact
Staff	Staff from across City & Neighbourhood Services and Physical Programmes, particularly, will be assigned to help with the delivery of the Playing Pitches and Outdoor Sport Facilities Strategy 2026–2036. Staff will prioritise this work – the structure to do this is already in place to manage potential workload. Council staff responsible for the planning, management, maintenance and delivery of playing pitch facilities will be involved in implementing the strategy.
Service users	The strategy directly impacts current and future users of playing pitches and associated facilities across Belfast. Service users include sports clubs, athletes, schools, community groups and individual residents who access playing pitches for sport and recreational activity. The strategy aims to support inclusive access and increased participation opportunities for all sections of the community, including underrepresented groups. Future investment decisions informed by the strategy may influence the location, type and standard of facilities available to users. The strategy seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents and those who work in and visit our City by providing quality, accessible facilities, where users participate in sport and physical activity.
Other public sector organisations	The strategy has been developed with input from a range of public sector partners and will help inform future partnership working. Schools and education providers may be impacted (in a positive way) where playing pitches that could be shared or jointly used. Sport NI, health organisations and other statutory agencies may use the strategy to help inform planning, investment, and participation initiatives. Opportunities for joint investment, collaborative delivery and shared use of facilities may arise from implementation of the strategy.
Voluntary, community groups and trade unions	Community and voluntary organisations are key users and stakeholders in relation to playing pitch provision and sports development activities. Local sports clubs and community groups may benefit from improvements to facilities, increased access opportunities, and future investment programmes. The strategy seeks to support inclusive participation and therefore has relevance to organisations representing Section 75 groups and communities experiencing barriers to participation.
Others, please specify	Not applicable

5. Are there linkages to other Agencies or Departments?

Yes - including the Belfast Agenda the strategy will link and contribute to a number of agencies and organisations with similar aims and objectives including;

Department of Communities – The Sport and Physical Activity Strategy for NI 2022
NI Government Health and Well-Being Strategy 2026
Public Health Agency
Active Belfast Partnership
National Governing Bodies for Sport
Leagues
Sports Clubs
Health NI – Making Life Better Strategic Framework 2013-2023
Sport NI
Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
Belfast Health Development Unit
Department for Infrastructure
GLL
Disability Sport NI
NI Sports Forum
Female Sports Forum
Community and Voluntary Sector

Other key internal plans include -

Belfast City Council Corporate Plan 2025-2028
Belfast Boxing Strategy
Belfast Open Space Strategy (BOSS) and Local Development Plan
Playground Improvement Plan
A Bolder Vision for Belfast: Reimagining the Centre

Equality screening outcome report

Section B

Back to site