Section B
Information on the consultation process, supporting evidence gathered and has 4 key questions outlining the likely impacts for equality and good relations
6. Outline consultation process planned or achieved
Belfast Playing Pitches and Outdoor Sport Facility Strategy 2026-2036
This strategy has been developed through work undertaken since 2023 by the Council in conjunction with consultants. It was used to establish baseline information across 11 sports and all the Council’s pitches and outdoor sports facilities. This work included;
- Four consultation events, delivered across Belfast. Total attendance was 55 individuals from twenty-seven club representatives of seven sports.
- Quality inspections, each of the Council-owned playing pitch and outdoor sports facilities sites were visited and inspected during March and April 2024.
- Consultation Interviews. A series of interviews was conducted with key organisations having an interest in the provision of playing pitches and outdoor sports facilities to inform commentary on current provision and the strategic context of future provision.
Further surveys were carried out by officers in 2025 to ensure this strategy was based on the most comprehensive and up to date information possible. This second more focused survey targeted four sports which had been shown to have the highest number of participants. Response rates were high across the four sports surveyed;
- 80 per cent Soccer
- 91 per cent GAA
- 67 per cent Rugby
- 59 per cent Cricket.
All eleven sports baselined are considered to be in scope for the full 10-year strategy. However, given the high volume of participants in Soccer and Gaelic Games and the significant gap between supply and demand these two sports will form the focus of the first phase of this strategy. Improvement Plan actions including capital investment will be prioritised towards closing the supply gap for these two sports in years one – four.
The consultation and survey work was extensive and returned a significant volume of research data.
7. Available evidence
General - The population of the City has increased 3.5 per cent between the 2011 and 2021 census this has been considered when developing the strategy, with this population increase and future population increases it is important that availability of pitches and outdoor sports facilities is increased.
Whilst population is growing the availability of Council owned land for sporting pitch development is not. We must maximise the opportunities presented by limited land resources and consider how partners in all sectors can collaborate to support pitch developments.
| Section 75 category | Details of evidence information and engagement |
|---|---|
| Religious belief | In 2021 the census for Belfast showed 49 per cent of people in Belfast are Catholic, 36 per cent are Protestant, 3 per cent identify through other religions and 12 per cent do not identify as having a religion. The Playing Pitches and Outdoor Sport Facilities Strategy 2026–2036 implementation programme will continue to promote better relationships between people of different religious beliefs and political opinions. |
| Political opinion | Belfast. The number of councilors elected for each party is:
These results reflect that Sinn Fein, and the DUP are the two largest parties, representing republican and unionist political opinions. The Playing Pitches and Outdoor Sport Facilities Strategy 2026–2036 implementation programme will continue to promote better relationships between people of different religious beliefs and political opinions. |
| Racial group | On Census Day 2021, in Belfast, considering the resident population 3 per cent were from an ethnic minority population and the remaining 97 per cent were white (including Irish Traveller). The Playing Pitches and Outdoor Sport Facilities Strategy 2026–2036 will have due regard to promoting better relationships between people of different religious beliefs and the changing demographics in our city and the need to ensure equality of opportunity. We have also identified in our strategy that there will be a focus on how we include more people from different ethnic backgrounds. |
| Age | The age profile of Belfast is similar to that of the wider region as depicted in the 2021 census of those surveyed, those aged 0 to 14 make up 18 per cent, 15 to 39 years equate to 37 per cent and 40 to 64 represent 30 per cent with 65 and over making up the remaining 15 per cent of Belfast population. The Strategy has an emphasis on increasing participation, particularly among youth and our older people. Younger people participate more than older people, but in the city around 30 per cent of our children and young people are inactive. We have a growing older population the strategy will take this into consideration when implementing the strategy. |
| Marital status | The 2021 census statistics for Belfast show that 50 per cent of people in Belfast are Single, that 33 per cent are Married or in a civil partnership, 5 per cent are separated, 6 per cent are divorced or formerly in a civil partnership and 6 per cent are widowed or surviving partner from a civil partnership. |
| Sexual orientation | In the Census of 2021 when people were surveyed in Belfast about their sexual orientation, the statistics show 87 per cent identified as Straight or heterosexual, 4 per cent identified as Gay, lesbian, bisexual, or other sexual orientation and 9 per cent Prefer not to say or not stated. A commonly used estimate of LGB people in the UK, accepted by Stonewall UK, is that approximately 5 to 7 per cent are LGB supporting the census statistics for those living in Belfast of 4 per cent-given this is not the figure for the entirety of Northern Ireland. We have also identified in our strategy that there will be a focus on how we include more people who are under-represented, for example, LGBTQIA+ community. |
| Men and women generally | Belfast has a higher female population (52 per cent of all residents), slightly higher than the Northern Ireland average of 51 per cent. The difference is largest in the over 65 population, where 59.3 per cent of all residents are female. We have also identified in our strategy that there will be a focus in how we include more women and girl’s people who are under-represented compared to men and boys |
| Disability | Census figures show that almost one quarter (23 per cent) of Belfast residents have a long-term health problem or disability which affects their day-to-day activities. This is a higher proportion than the Northern Ireland average (20.1 per cent). Over one-third of Belfast residents reported that they had a long-term condition (defined as a condition which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months). The most common conditions were mobility or dexterity difficulty (39 per cent of all those affected), pain or discomfort (34 per cent), shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (31 per cent) and emotional, psychological, or mental health condition (23 per cent). People without a disability participate significantly more than people with a disability (in the last 5 years there has been an 18 per cent drop in participation numbers relating to those with a disability). We have identified in our strategy that there will be a focus in how we include more people who have a disability by looking at improved access to our facilities |
| Dependants | The census report for Belfast 2021 for household composition showed number of dependent children as 73 per cent with no dependents, 12 per cent with one, 10 per cent with two and 5 per cent with three or more. |
8. What is the likely impact (indicate if the policy impact is positive or negative) on equality of opportunity for those affected by this policy, for each of the Section 75 equality categories? What is the level of impact?
| Section 75 category | Likely impact | Level of impact |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief | Positive - The strategy applies across the Belfast area and seeks to improve provision based on identified need. Future location-specific investment decisions will require ongoing consideration of equality and community access. | Minor positive benefit |
| Political opinion | No differential impact identified. | No major differential impact identified at strategic level |
| Racial group | Positive - Improved access to sports facilities may benefit increasingly diverse communities. Consultation and communication mechanisms should continue to consider the needs of minority ethnic communities. | Minor positive benefit |
| Age | Positive - The strategy supports participation opportunities for:
Improved facilities and capacity may increase opportunities for participation and physical activity across all age groups. | Minor positive benefit |
| Marital status | No differential impact identified. | None |
| Sexual orientation | Positive - The strategy highlights the gaps in under-represented groups being able to access our provision including those from different sexual orientations. This demand and evolving needs require a strategic, coordinated approach, to ensure fair and equitable access to our Playing Pitches and Outdoor Sports Facilities. The strategy promotes access and participation regardless of sexual orientation. | Minor positive benefit |
| Men and women generally | Positive - Evidence demonstrates growing demand for women's and girls' sport, particularly soccer, rugby and GAA. The strategy provides an opportunity to address:
| Major positive benefit |
| Disability | Positive - Physical accessibility of facilities, changing accommodation, wayfinding, parking and inclusive design are important considerations for future implementation. The strategy provides an opportunity to improve accessibility and participation opportunities for people with a disability. | Minor positive impact with requirement for mitigation and monitoring. |
| Dependants | Improved local provision and facility quality may support families and carers by increasing opportunities for children and young people to participate in sport and physical activity. | Minor to Moderate positive benefit |
9. Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people within the Section 75 equalities categories?
| Section 75 category | If 'yes', provide details | If 'no', provide reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief | Not applicable | At this stage there are no further opportunities to amend the programme to better promote equality of opportunity between people of different religious belief. |
| Political opinion | Yes, through Belfast City Council elected members and People and Communities Committee | |
| Racial group | Yes, through working with ethnic community and sports organisations to better provide support and pathways to participation | |
| Age | Yes, by engaging with older people’s forums and complementing the Age Friendly Action Plan 2022-2026 | |
| Marital status | Yes, the Strategy will provide opportunities that can benefit all residents of Belfast | |
| Sexual orientation | Yes, the Strategy will reduce barriers to participation in sport so access to welcoming and inclusive quality facilities for females. | |
| Men and women generally | Yes, the Strategy will provide opportunities that can benefit all residents of Belfast | |
| Disability | Yes, by engaging with disability groups such as Disability Sport NI, Jigsaw, SOLAS, Positive Futures, Cedar Foundation and others Through our Changing Places Toilets (CPTs) policy we will meet the needs of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities as well as people with other physical disabilities. These specialised toilet facilities make public places and spaces accessible and inclusive for everyone. | |
| Dependants | Our Playing Pitches Strategy will provide opportunities that can benefit all residents of Belfast |
10. To what extent is the policy likely to impact (positive or negatively) on good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group? What is the level of impact?
| Good relations category | Likely impact | Level of impact |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief | Yes, people from all over the city attend sport and physical activity events and programmes together | Minor Positive Impact |
| Political opinion | Yes, people from all over the city attend sport and physical activity events and programmes together | Minor Positive Impact |
| Racial group | Yes, people from all over the city attend sport and physical activity events and programmes together | Minor Positive Impact |
11. Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?
| Good relations category | Likely impact | Level of impact |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief | Yes, all the work contained within the Pitches Strategy should offer opportunities to promote good relations between people with different religious beliefs. By ongoing investment in our pitches and facilities we will increase opportunities for people from different backgrounds to use the same facilities. | |
| Political opinion | Yes, all the work contained within the Pitches Strategy should offer opportunities to promote good relations between people with different religious beliefs. By ongoing investment in our pitches and facilities we will increase opportunities for people from different backgrounds to use the same facilities. | |
| Racial group | Yes, all the work contained within the Pitches Strategy should offer opportunities to promote good relations between people with different religious beliefs. By ongoing investment in our pitches and facilities we will increase opportunities for people from different backgrounds to use the same facilities. |
