1. Introduction
Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 places a duty on all public authorities to have due regard when carrying out its businessFootnote one to the need to promote equality of opportunity:
- between persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual orientation
- between men and women generally
- between persons with a disability and persons without
- between persons with dependants and persons without.
Section 75 also places a duty on all public authorities to have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion and racial group.
About Belfast Stories
In December 2021, Belfast City Council announced its plans for a new visitor attraction, public space and creative hub in Belfast city centre.
Funded by the Belfast Region City Deal and Belfast City Council, Belfast Stories will open at the former Bank of Ireland building at 92 Royal Avenue (where North Street and Royal Avenue meet) by 2030. The listed, art deco-style bank building will be a focal point of the new building, which will cover over 5,000m2. Inside, there will be stories told by people who have lived in or visited Belfast.
It is being developed in line with the planning stages recommended by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). There are eight RIBA stages.
The first public consultation was carried out over 14 weeks from 10 August to 20 November 2022 as part of RIBA 1 (Preparation and briefing). It gathered ideas and evidence to help shape the design brief.
The second public consultation was carried out over 16 weeks during RIBA stage 2 (Concept design). Designers developed Initial architectural and curatorial concepts, which were presented and reviewed during the consultation.
Findings from the second public consultation were then reviewed and used to inform more detailed plans as part of RIBA stage 3 (Spatial coordination). These plans are now being presented during this current public consultation as part of the process for securing planning permission.
Taking on board findings and recommendations from the previous consultations, plans presented during this third public consultation show more detailed designs for the overall shape and external appearance of the building and its broad internal layout including entrances, public space, media centre, cinemas and ticketed visitor experience.
The façade of the new building will feature a silver mesh, designed to give it a contemporary appearance that complements the Bank of Ireland building.
The design prioritises public space, including a covered central courtyard that can be used for a range of activities. From the street, people will be able to see into the courtyard and enter Belfast Stories from different directions, including a main entrance.
Inside, visitors will move through the building using stairs and lifts to access different floors, including the ticketed visitor experience and a free, public roof garden. Retail space is proposed on the ground floor, with cafés and restaurants planned for both the ground and upper levels.
Ongoing engagement with different people and organisations will continue to help shape Belfast Stories right up until it opens.
Purpose Of This Equality Impact Assessment
Belfast City Council recognises Belfast Stories as a major development which will impact on staff, residents and other ratepayers. As a result, it could also impact on people and groups associated with the nine Section 75 equality categories.
An initial equality screening was carried out in December 2021. It recommended that an equality impact assessment (EQIA) be carried out on Belfast Stories, potentially at different stages in the project.
An initial EQIA was carried out and consulted on between August and November 2022. It recommended that further equality screening be carried out at key milestones on the development process including concept design and planning permission.
This draft EQIA sets out the current position in terms of the actual and potential equality impacts of Belfast Stories at planning application stage. It is currently open for consultation with feedback being sought from Belfast City Council’s Equality Scheme consultees (see appendix 1), other interested stakeholders and the general public.
More information on how you can take part in the public consultation is included in section 8 of this report.
Footnote
Footnote one: Such as developing and delivering strategies, plans, policies, projects, programmes, funding, services and facilities
