|
|||||||||
|
Policy Framework
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY USES Strategic Plan FrameworkThis part of the Written Statement sets out the Strategic Plan Framework comprising allocations, designations, and policies relating to the whole District, which complement, and are in reference to, the Regional Policy Context. Responsibility for the provision of educational facilities in the District rests with the North Eastern and Education Library Board (NEELB), the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) and the Northern Ireland Council for integrated Education (NICIE) supplemented by a number of voluntary authorities. The Department of Education, the Department for Employment and Learning, and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure retains overall authority for education policy and finance. The NEELB is also responsible for library provision within the District. It is currently the overall responsibility of the Northern Health and Social Services Board, (NHSS) to assess the health and social care needs of the District and to secure the care to meet those needs in keeping with available resources. Provision of community health and social care services to meet those needs is the responsibility of the Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust and the Homefirst Community Trust. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety retains overall responsibility for policy and funding of major capital works. Consultation with the relevant authorities has not identified a need for the Plan to safeguard land for future education and community use development. Further details on education and community uses are contained in the Education Technical Supplement. REGIONAL POLICY CONTEXTThe Regional Development Strategy (RDS) seeks to facilitate the development of education, health and commercial services, cultural and leisure amenities necessary to meet the needs of a growing population. The RDS identifies Magherafelt as a local service centre. Decisions on the future location of new public sector development for a variety of functions, including health and education, will take into account the role of the town. The Department’s regional planning policies for community needs are currently set out in the Rural Strategy. Supplementary Planning Guidance is contained in Development Control Advice Note 9 ‘Residential and Nursing Homes’ and Development Control Advice Note 13 ‘Crèches, Day Nurseries and Pre-school Playgroups’. Educational FacilitiesThe Independent Review Body on Post Primary Education reported to the Minister for Education in 2001, and there is the possibility that the long-term outcome of this review may influence the number and type of post primary schools across Northern Ireland. The enrolment levels in controlled and maintained primary schools at 2001 indicate both sectors have significant spare capacity. Spires Integrated Primary School, in Magherafelt town, which opened in 1999 has already exceeded its capacity. A significant amount of spare capacity in the primary sector is found in the villages and rural area. Consideration is being given to a replacement for St. Columba’s Primary School in Straw. At secondary level there is spare capacity in the controlled sector whilst the voluntary sector is slightly over subscribed. The NICIE is actively seeking a site in Magherafelt for a new integrated school. There is one college of Further and Higher education in Magherafelt District, in Magherafelt - The North East Institute of Further & Higher Education. Libraries and Youth ServicesThere are 4 branch libraries in the District and 3 mobile libraries Youth clubs operate throughout the District from various premises owned by Magherafelt District Council, churches and schools. There is a controlled youth centre in Maghera and it is proposed to establish a new youth centre in Magherafelt Town on the site of Magherafelt Primary School. Various other organisations operate widely throughout the District such as Boys Brigade, Girls Brigade, Girl Guides, Scouts etc. Health and Social ServicesThe Homefirst Community Trust Estates Strategy for 2002-2012 proposes a number of investment schemes at the Hospital Road Site in Magherafelt.
Applications for planning permission for
community related facilities will be considered in the context of prevailing
regional planning policy and the Plan Proposals. Unforeseen demands for new
community facilities may arise over the lifetime of the Plan.
|
|||||||||
Printer Friendly Version
