Agenda item

Consultations – Belfast on the Move and Strategic Planning Policy

 

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

 

“1        Relevant Background Information

 

1.1‘     Belfast on the Move’ was launched by the Minister for Regional Development in City Hall on the 30th September 2010 and a public consultation process was initiated, requesting for comments to be submitted by the 30th November 2010. Representatives from the Department attended a Special Committee on the 24th November 2010 and outlined the proposed changes to the traffic management in the city centre.

 

1.2      Proposals for Strategic Planning Policy Guidance in the form of the draft review of the Regional Development Strategy (RDS) and guidance in respect of the weight of economic issues in the consideration of planning applications were recently announced.

 

1.3      This report provides an update of the draft response to ‘Belfast on the Move’ taking account of the consideration and comments from the Special Development Committee and seeks approval for the appointment of technical support to develop responses to forthcoming strategic planning policy consultations.

 

2          Key Issues

 

2.1      ‘Belfast on the Move’ During the Special Development Committee on the 24th November 2010, Members had the opportunity to explore the detail of the proposals with the Department for Regional Development staff.

 

2.2      The Draft Response attached in Appendix 1 takes account of the issues and comments raised during the consideration by Committee along with responses from internal consultation with Council departments.

 

·         In response to the queries and comments from the Committee, the members of the DRD deputation provided clarification in relation to an number of elements including:

 

·         The proportion of through traffic using the city centre;

 

·         enforcement in relation to the use of junctions and moving traffic offences;

 

·         the strategic approach to traffic management in the city;

 

·         the use of bus lanes by cleansing vehicles;

 

·         improving access to Donegall Square East and West and the relocation of bus stops from Donegall Square West to Queen Street;

 

·         funding bids for these proposals and the Rapid Transport project;

 

·         car parking for persons with disabilities;

 

·         the relationship between Rapid Transit Lanes and public taxi hire ranks;

 

·         potential transport proposals for the north of the city centre;

 

·         parking of tour buses and coach parking bays; and

 

·         the objective of reducing longer-stay car parking.

 

            The draft response to the consultation has been updated to reflect the comments made by the Members. The final draft response is appended to this report for consideration by the Committee.

 

2.3      The Potential for new Strategic Planning Policy Guidance was highlighted in the Departmental Plan approved by Committee in 2010. The development of corporate responses on strategic planning policies, including Planning Policy Statements, and the Regional Development Strategy with external specialist support were highlighted as specific actions within the Departmental Plan.

 

2.4      The draft review of the Regional Development Strategy is being considered by the Regional Development Committee and is likely to be issued for formal consultation in December 2010.

 

2.5      The RDS should play a critical role in setting the context for the continued development of the city as the driver of growth for the region. It is essential that the RDS maintains the balance of future growth in favour of the city as the driver of growth and provides formal linkages to any linked Investment Strategy proposals such as the transportation plan, infrastructure proposals and the emphasis on public transport provision / connectivity. 

 

            Focussed work is required to support the translation of the work on the city region into the strategy and influence the final RDS and ensure the potential for the continued development of Belfast.

 

2.5      The Minister for the Environment recently announced proposals for the development of new PPS guidance to address the issue of the weight to be attached to economic considerations in the consideration of planning applications.

 

2.6      The introduction of economic considerations to the decision making process through PPS guidance could have significant implications for the assessment of development proposals both within the city and the wider region. The consideration at the High Court of earlier attempts to introduce these provisions suggested that the proposals amounted to a material change in the way planning applications were to be determined and could directly influence the outcome.

 

2.7      The development of the responses would necessarily draw on previous research and responses to both development plan proposals and Planning Policy Statements. Due to the differences in the proposed consultations subjects it is proposed that the technical support is provided by two separate focussed consultancy commissions with budgets of £7,000 for the RDS Review and £5,000 for the proposed PPS.

 

3          Resource Implications

 

            Amounts were included in the approved Departmental Plan subject to further clarification through a proposal paper.

 

4          Equality and Good Relations Considerations

 

            There are no equality and Good Relations Considerations attached to this report

 

5          Recommendations

 

            Members are requested to:

 

5.1      Consider and if appropriate endorse the content of the suggested response to the proposed ‘Belfast On The Move’ consultation as set out in Appendix 1

 

5.2      Agree the commission of external consultancy support with budgets of £7,000 for the RDS Review and £5,000 for the proposed PPS.

 

6          Decision Tracking

 

            Further to agreement, that if appropriate, a response be submitted to the Department for Regional Development

            Timeline: December 2010. Reporting Officer: John McGrillen

 

            Draft responses to the RDS Review and the PPS to be brought back to the Committee for consideration.

            Timeline:  March 2011. Reporting Officer:  John McGrillen

 

7          Key to Abbreviations

 

            DRD – Department for Regional Development

            RDS – Regional Development Strategy

            PPS- Planning Policy Statement

 

8          Documents Attached

 

            Appendix 1 – Draft Response

 

Appendix 1

 

Draft Response

 

      The Council generally supports the ‘Belfast on the Move’ proposals to promote sustainable transport options for the city centre. The proposal to reduce the amount of unnecessary through traffic in the city centre is welcomed, however, the measures must ensure the city centre remains accessible for leisure, shopping and business use. The increased priority for pedestrians and public transport in the city centre is supported along with the need to provide sufficient dedicated parking spaces for disabled people.

 

      The Council considers a strategic approach to traffic management in Belfast is necessary to integrate the ‘Belfast on the Move’ city centre transport proposals with the rest of the city. The potential for displaced traffic from city centre streets to cause congestion elsewhere or create adverse impacts on residential communities should be continually monitored and managed.

 

      In the consideration of this response to the specific ‘Belfast On the Move’ proposals it should be noted that the Council does not endorse the longer-term proposal for the completion of the southern section of the City Centre Ring (Bankmore Link). The Council in previous responses highlighted design concerns and the need to consider sustainable transport options such as the implementation of Rapid Transit, Park & Ride and expansion of Quality Bus Corridors prior to building new road infrastructure.

 

Parking and moving traffic offences in the city centre

 

      The Council considers that enforcement of moving traffic offences will be critical for effective traffic management in the city centre. The enforcement of general traffic using bus lanes is needed to ensure the benefits of dedicated bus lane provision and changed priority are realised. Also the issue of traffic congestion at box junctions and illegal parking of taxis, tour buses and coaches should be enforced.

 

      The current arrangements whereby the Police Service for Northern Ireland has responsibility for enforcing moving traffic offences with DRD responsible for parking offences may undermine the potential for coordinated action and effective management. The decriminalisation of moving traffic offences with single responsibly could ensure more effective enforcement of moving traffic offences in order to contribute to improvements in traffic management and road safety. The Council would strongly recommend that parallel actions are taken by DRD and PSNI to address this issue.

 

Cycling provision

 

      The Council supports measures for dedicated off road cycle lanes and the use of bus lanes for cyclist. However, the introduction of one way traffic to a number of city centre streets may result in longer journeys in some circumstances for cyclist to reach city centre destinations. The Council would request consideration is given to the introduction of contra flow cycle lanes in proposed one way streets such as Donegall Place.  In addition, the potential for cyclists to share pedestrian areas should be considered through the changing of regulations to facilitate appropriate opportunities. 

 

Bus Routes

 

      The Council would support measures to increase the number of through bus routes in the city and the reduction of bus layover in the city centre. These changes should be accompanied by further improvement to the Metro Bus Service along the arterial routes and further development of Park & Ride to provide attractive alternatives to the private car.

 

Barrack Street area

 

      The Council would support measures to restrict ‘rat running’ in the Barrack Street residential area.

 

Waste Collection and Street Cleansing issues

 

      The Council’s waste collection vehicles need to stop frequently along the carriageway the city centre in order to empty bins and collect waste. The refuse vehicles require full access in close proximity to where the bins or waste facilities are located as it not feasible, or safe to move large bins across roads in busy city centre traffic locations. Provision for waste collection vehicles to stop in the bus lanes for short periods to allow Council operatives to undertake statutory waste management functions should be included within design and enforcement regimes.

 

      Council operations in the City Centre also require vehicular movements in all streets and any proposals to pedestrianise areas or restrict traffic should ensure access is maintained for Council vehicles including mechanical street sweeping vehicles.

 

St Georges Market

 

      The traffic management proposals should ensure that market traders retain access to St George’s Market to allow for unloading and loading of produce.

 

Disabled Access

 

      The sustainable transport measures must be linked to the implementation plan of the Department for Social Development, Access and Mobility Study to ensure that the disabled community is not disadvantaged in accessing city centre services. Sufficient dedicated parking spaces for disabled people should be provided throughout the city centre.

 

Air Quality

 

      The Council recognises that technical solutions to improving poor air quality are achievable through the reduction of the amount of traffic in the city centre, combined with measures to remove the most polluting vehicles from our roads and/or to keep them out of the city centre.  Measures that promote the use of (clean) public transport, together with those that support low impact transportation such as cycling and walking assist in the improvement of the city centre environment.  In relation to air quality, the Council would support the scheme to introduce ‘Sustainable Transport Enabling Measures’ in the city centre and it considers that there is the potential for positive outcomes in relation to air quality should this proposal be implemented. The Council would request that air quality issues are considered at all stages as part of the detailed planning process for this proposal and that the Council is kept informed on predicted impacts, particularly in relation to ambient levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter at relevant monitoring locations.

 

Longer Term proposals

 

      The longer term measures include the proposal for the Bankmore link between Cromac Street and Hope Street. The Streets Ahead Phase 2 proposals link the full pedestrianisation of Donegall Place and the creation of an iconic square in the setting of the City Hall, to the development of the Bankmore Link.

 

      Whilst the Council would support the further pedestrianisation of Donegall Place and an improved public realm setting for City Hall as suggested in the Streets Ahead Phase 2, there would be concerns in relation to the proposed link to the Bankmore Inner?ring Road as the only mechanism to facilitate such future action. Further consideration should be given to sustainable transport options such as the implementation of Rapid Transit, park & ride schemes and expansion of Quality Bus Corridors prior to building new road infrastructure.”

 

            The Committee adopted the recommendations and agreed that representatives of Translink be invited to a future meeting to discuss the relocation of bus stops from around the City Hall area.