Rural Needs Impact Assessment (RNIA) Tree Strategy

Published: January 2023

Section 1 - Defining the activity subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016

1A. Name of Public Authority

Belfast City Council

1B. Please provide a short title which describes the activity being undertaken by the Public Authority that is subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016

Belfast Tree Strategy

1C. Please indicate which category the activity specified in Section 1B above relates to.

1D. Please provide the official title (if any) of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service document or initiative relating to the category indicated in Section 1C above.

Belfast City Council – Belfast Tree Strategy 2022 -2032

1E. Please provide details of the aims and/or objectives of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service.

The draft Belfast Tree Strategy lays out a clear vision: That Belfast is a city which focuses on protecting, enhancing, and expanding its woodlands, hedges, and trees, connecting people to nature, and ensuring that these continue to be a major asset to everyone who lives in, works in, and visits our city.”

1F. What definition of ‘rural’ is the Public Authority using in respect of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?

Population Settlements of less than 5,000 (Default definition). 

Section 2 - Understanding the impact of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service

2A. Is the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service likely to impact on people in rural areas? (If the response is NO GO TO Section 2E.)

No

2B. Please explain how the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas.

Not applicable.

2C. If the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently from people in urban areas, please explain how it is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently.

Not applicable.

2D. Please indicate which of the following rural policy areas the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to primarily impact on.

Not applicable.

2E. Please explain why the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is NOT likely to impact on people in rural areas.

The Belfast Tree Strategy and associated council services cut across the council area, to both urban and rural areas and the benefits are intended to apply equally. The strategy is intended to positively impact the entire area of Belfast and will form the basis of future management decisions including those relating to proposals in rural settlements as mentioned above.

Section 3 - Identifying the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas 

3A. Has the Public Authority taken steps to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas that are relevant to the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?

Yes

3B. Please indicate which of the following methods or information sources were used by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.

3C. Please provide details of the methods and information sources used to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas including relevant dates, names of organisations, titles of publications, website references, details of surveys or consultations undertaken etc.

Belfast has three rural areas - Edenderry, Hannahstown and Loughview. In developing the Belfast Tree Strategy, we have engaged via three online workshops with external stakeholders including those in central and local government, education and the environmental sectors who have knowledge of and represent the needs of people in the rural areas. In July 2022 we issued an online Tree Survey via Your Say Belfast and received 615 responses from every District Electoral Area in Belfast.

On 8 November 2022 the appointed consultants for the project, Treeconomics and relevant officers presented the strategy and survey findings to the Council’s People and Communities Committee which approved the approach to the development of the strategy, and this decision will be ratified by the Council at its meeting on 1 Dec 2022. Thereafter, the Council will commence a public consultation over 12 weeks, giving the public an opportunity to comment on both online and in-person at wide ranging community events across the city which will be opened to all including those residing in the three rural areas.

3D. Please provide details of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas which have been identified by the Public Authority?

According to the Belfast Local Development Plan. Whilst the Belfast City Council area is predominantly urban, it also contains countryside areas outside the urban settlement area, including the Belfast, Castlereagh and Holywood Hills and the Lagan Valley Regional Park. Belfast’s rural area accounts for approximately 30 per cent (40.75 km²) of the total Council area. The default definition of “rural” used in Northern Ireland is those settlements with populations of less than 5,000, together with the open countryside. The rural population of Belfast (2016 mid-year population estimates, NISRA) is approximately 1,484, including the small settlements of Edenderry, Hannahstown and Loughview.  In identifying the social and economic needs of people in rural areas the Council considered: NISRA data on the three relevant rural settlements alongside the information presented in the DAERA Rural Policy Framework for Northern Ireland which provided further details of the social and economic needs generally for those who live in rural areas across Northern Ireland. These include transport, connectivity, broadband and access to services. All issues will have and will continue to be considered as the Belfast Tree Strategy is implemented as a Council, we completed a tree survey in 2022 and we reviewed the 615 responses to that survey which covered every district electoral area within Belfast. No specific issues emerged with regards to rural settlements. However, public consultation will be commenced in early 2023 for 12 weeks. The Council will actively encourage feedback on the draft strategy from communities and individuals within those rural settlements.  

3E. Please explain why no steps were taken by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas?

Not applicable.

Section 4 - Considering the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas

4A. Please provide details of the issues considered in relation to the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.

Rural issues such as transport, connectivity, broadband access, and access to services as set out in the DAERA Rural Policy Framework for Northern Ireland have been considered in the development of this draft strategy and will be reflected in the engagement and consultation activities associated with it. 

Section 5 - Influencing the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service

5A. Has the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, been influenced by the rural needs identified? (If the response is no, go to section 5C)

No

5B. Please explain how the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, has been influenced by the rural needs identified.

Not applicable.

5C. Please explain why the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or the delivery of the Public Service, has NOT been influenced by the rural needs identified.

The development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or the delivery of the Public Service, has not been influenced by the rural needs identified as the Belfast Tree Strategy and associated council services cut across the council area, to both urban and rural areas and the benefits are intended to apply equally. 

The strategy is intended to positively impact the entire area of Belfast including rural settlements of Edenderry, Hannahstown and Loughview.

Section 6 - Documenting and Recording

6A. Please tick below to confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained by the Public Authority and relevant information on the Section 1 activity compiled in accordance with paragraph 6.7 of the guidance.