Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015
Strategic Plan Framework: Open Space, Sport & Outdoor Recreation (Page 1 of 2)
Regional Policy Context
The Regional Development Strategy (RDS) promotes the important link between environment, health and well being and places an emphasis on supporting healthy lifestyles and the promotion of health in the community. It provides the following Strategic Planning Guidelines and measures for the protection of open space within Northern Ireland which aim to:
- protect, enhance and encourage appreciation of the Regions landscapes and promote sustainable access to the countryside through the continuation of development of a network of public open spaces including Country Parks and forest recreation areas (ENV 1.4);
- create and manage green spaces in cities, towns and villages to serve multiple purposes and contribute to distinctive local character while recognising the contribution that natural and semi-natural habitats can make to the character of urban space and promote measures which will lead to the enhancement of bio diversity and the quality of our lives (ENV 3.3);
- encourage urban renaissance in the cities and towns by promoting a concerted housing drive within existing built up areas without town cramming while protecting adequate supplies of land for other purposes such as open space and also promoting imaginative, safe and attractive housing schemes applying the principles and standards in creating places. (HOU 4.2);
- encourage the protection and enhancement of open spaces and playing facilities for the long term benefit of the whole community recognising the value of ‘greenery’ including community greenways, woodlands and landscape to health and well being (ENV 6.4);
- prevent town cramming and seek the provision of adequate areas of open space, playing facilities, woodland and landscaping within easy walking reach of homes, for physical activity, rest and leisure use. It also guides us to enhance the range of sporting and leisure facilities enabling accessibility by all citizens hence promoting a sporting culture, healthier living environments and supporting healthy lifestyles (ENV 7.1); and
- enhance the quality of the urban environment throughout the metropolitan area by protecting and enhancing a network of open space including country parks, landscape wedges, parks and community greenways within the BMA (BMA 2.3). Planning Policy Statement 8 Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation published in February 2004 sets out regional planning policies for Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation.
| BMA Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation Strategy |
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The BMA Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation Strategy comprises the following elements
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Open space plays a significant role in the life of the community within the Plan Area. The provision of parks, gardens and incidental green spaces contributes to the amenity and attractiveness of cities, towns and villages making them more attractive places in which to live and work. Open spaces can also enhance the character of an area and improve the quality of life by providing important ‘green lungs’, health benefits, visual breaks, and wildlife habitats in built up areas. Open space provides opportunities for physical recreation, whether formally through the development of facilities for particular sports, or through more informal activities such as walking and cycling.
The availability of indoor and outdoor facilities for both active and passive recreation is an important element in enhancing the quality of life for residents in the Plan Area. There is also an accepted link between exercise and health, as an inactive lifestyle is an important risk factor for coronary heart disease. Government is committed to promoting more active lifestyles as part of the drive to improve the health of the community. The provision of open space for sport and recreation is a key element in the healthy cities project. This is endorsed by Belfast City Councils participation in the Healthy Cities programme. The success of strategies to promote sport and physical recreation depend on the availability of opportunities for participation through the development of facilities.
Provision of open space, sport and outdoor recreation facilities is the statutory responsibility of the six Councils within the Plan Area. The DOE, DE, DCAL, DARD and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive also provide and manage a variety of publicly accessible recreational facilities and open space. Many private organisations also provide a wide range of sport and outdoor recreational facilities.
There is an extensive range of existing open space provision within the BMA. This includes countryside recreational facilities at the edge of the urban area for example, the Lagan Valley Regional Park and the Country Parks and forest recreation areas which serve the BMA as a whole.
The shores of Belfast Lough and Lough Neagh, Carnmoney Hill and the Hills which surround the Metropolitan Urban Area are among the many natural resources of the Plan Area which provide a wealth of opportunities for active outdoor pursuits and informal recreation.
There is also formal recreational provision tailored to accommodating specific sports eg golf courses, tennis courts, football and gaelic football pitches. The urban parks, largely a legacy of Victorian and Edwardian times provide opportunities for informal and formal recreation. There is also a variety of outdoor open space such as parkland, woodlands, riverside walkways, playgrounds and informal open space within housing developments. The contribution of open space and facilities is enhanced by developing networks of provision for walking, cycling and recreational provision for the community, designated in the District Proposals as community greenways. It is important therefore that these areas are protected from development, as once lost, they cannot be easily replaced.
Major areas of existing open space above 1 hectare are identified for information inside the Metropolitan Development Limit, Lisburn City and towns in the District Proposals. All areas of existing open space provision are identified in the villages within the Plan Area for information. Regional Planning Policy set out in PPS 8 Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation applies to all existing open space regardless of whether or not it is identified for information in the Plan.
Indoor leisure and recreation centres have a key role in complementing outdoor facilities and in adding to the range of recreational activity available to local communities. There is now an extensive network of centres provided by Councils. In recent years sports centres constructed by the private sector have expanded the range of indoor provision. Indoor centres have an important role in extending the range of sporting and recreational activities and in enabling participation at times and during seasons when outdoor activity may be inhibited. Their role is particularly significant in the inner City of Belfast where the density of built development makes it difficult to identify major opportunities for new outdoor open space.
It is widely recognised that Northern Ireland would benefit from a sports stadium capable of hosting large international and national sports events.
The siting of any such stadium, if it should be decided to proceed with such a development, is likely to be in the Plan Area and will probably have implications for transport, commercial and retail development and environmental considerations. PPS 8 Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation sets out the regional planning policy for the provision of new indoor recreational facilities by the public and private sectors including the provision of new stadia.
The generation of programmes for provision of additional lands for open space and recreational use is the responsibility of District Councils. The Plan Proposals recognise the intentions and development programmes of the six Councils.
Planning Policy places considerable emphasis on the provision of open space as a requirement of development proposals, in particular for residential use. The Department requires the provision of open space within new housing developments through the regional policies set out in PPS 7 Quality Residential Environments, and PPS 8 Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation. These policies provide for the development and maintenance of adequate public and private open space to meet the needs of new residential developments. Such provision has an important role in complementing District Council programmes.
Key Site Requirements in the District Proposals specify where appropriate the provision of open space to be included as an integral part of the development
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