Appendix 5: Responses to RIBA 2 EQIA
514 responses were received to the survey on Belfast City Council’s Your Say Belfast consultation website. Of those, 97 people (18.9 per cent) answered questions specifically on the draft EQIA.
Agreement with the assessment of impacts
Over three quarters of respondents (77.3 per cent) agreed with the assessment of impacts. 11.3 per cent disagreed.
One person disagreed but noted they did not read the draft EQIA.
One person noted that it was a “strong document”, and another considered “Actually the answer isn’t yes or no but sort of”.
Other reasons given by those who disagreed with the assessment of impacts were:
- Too much focus on “people born and raised here”
- Not enough recognition or regard for language rights including Irish and Ulster Scots
- Not enough focus on class and poverty
- Objection to the categorisation of stories by Section 75 dimension
- “It reads as very passive, and reactive, rather than proactive and change-orientated”
- “It's not about equality. It's about political correctness. Only one view will be tolerated, that is the government left wing views. No critical sound on the negative sides of immigration and the Muslim crimes will be allowed. There will be no freedom of speech.”
Additional impacts
There were 45 substantive responses to the question “Are you aware of any other impacts that we haven't identified?” including 36 responses stating that they could not identify additional impacts.
One response gave “marital status” as an additional impact. Another noted potential to improve equality of opportunity through extended opening hours. Other responses were less relevant to good relations or equality of opportunity across Section 75 protected characteristics.
Additional evidence
There were 45 responses to the question “Are you aware of any other evidence or research that may be relevant to Belfast Stories impact assessment?”. Of these, 37 were unaware of additional evidence.
One respondent signposted to six reports on arts and crafts which include some evidence of inequalities within these sectors. Another respondent referred to stories including the Troubles and industry. The remaining respondents provided suggestions (rather than evidence) including in relation to car parking, pedestrianisation, environmental impact and story gathering.
Opportunities to promote equality of opportunity and good relations
There were 38 substantive responses to the question “What else could we do to promote equality of opportunity and good relations?”. Three respondents stated that they felt plans for the development were already achieving this. Among other relevant responses:
- 10 responses made general points such as “Set the standard” and “Make everyone feel welcome”
- 9 responses referred to consultation including with young people, students, community organisations, the disability and age sectors and disabled people
- 8 responses referred to programming including, for example, free programming, Autism-friendly events, promoting good relations and diversity
- 7 responses referred to story gathering and curation including the need for a Troubles Museum; to “keep religion out of it” or give a “stronger voice” to people who identify as neither Catholic nor Protestant; and to have an ethics panel
- 4 responses referred to recruitment including a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled people, recruiting people from the LGBTQ+ community and using disabled consultants
- 3 responses referred to communications including communications targeted at disabled visitors and use of assistive technology including social narrative videos
- 2 responses referred to the architecture, specifically: in favour of not erecting gates; and need for child and Autism-friendly spaces
