Agenda item

            The Director of Planning and Building Control submitted for the Committee’s consideration the following report:

 

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

 

1.1       To consider applications for the erection of dual language street signs for ten existing streets within the city.

 

1.2       To consider a request from a resident of Downview Park West, who has written to Belfast City Council requesting to address members at Committee. This resident is objecting to the dual language street nameplate.

 

2.0       Recommendations

 

2.1       The Committee is asked to agree to:

 

(1)    The erection of a second street nameplate in Irish at, Orchardville Avenue, Wynchurch Avenue, Mayfield Square, Hillhead Avenue, St Meryl Park, Chichester Avenue, Ballymurphy Drive, Airfield Heights and Margaretta Park.

(2)    Receive a deputation from an objector in respect of the application for Downview Park West at a future meeting of the Committee.

 

3.0       Main report

 

            Key Issues

 

3.1       The Council may erect a second street nameplate in a language other than English pursuant to Article 11 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NI) Order 1995.

 

3.2       Members are asked to consider the following applications to erect a second street nameplate showing the name of the street expressed in a language other than English. The second language isIrish.

 

English Name	Non- English Name	Location	Persons surveyed
Orchardville Avenue, BT10 0JH	Ascaill Orchardville	Finaghy Road North	93
Wynchurch Avenue,  BT6 OJP	Ascaill Wynchurch	Off Rosetta Road	113
Mayfield Square, BT10 0QT	Cearnóg Ghort na Bealtaine	Off Blacks Road	169
Hillhead Avenue, BT11 9GD	Ascaill an Mhullaigh	Off Stewartstown Road	67
St Meryl Park, BT11 8FY	Páirc Naomh Muirgheal	Off Glen Road	112
Downview Park West, BT15 5HN	Páirc Radharc an Dúin Thair	Off Downview Park, Antrim Road	177
Chichester Avenue, BT15 5EH	Ascaill Chichester	Off Antrim Road	70
Ballymurphy Drive, BT12 7JJ	Céide Bhaile Uí Mhurchú	Off Ballymurphy Road	99
Margaretta Park, BT17 0JQ	Páirc Margaretta	Off Stewartstown Road	125
Airfield Heights, BT11 8QU	Arda na hAerpháirce	Off Glen Road	179

 

3.4       The translations were authenticated by Queens University, the approved translator for Belfast City Council.

 

3.5       In accordance with the Council’s policy for the erection of dual language street signs, surveys of all persons appearing on the electoral register, plus owners or tenants in actual possession of commercial premises, for the above streets were carried out and the following responses were received.

 

3.6       Orchardville Avenue, BT10

 

·        37 occupiers (39.78 %) were in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate

·        2 occupiers (2.15%) were not in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate

·        4 occupiers (4.30%) had no preference either way

·        50 occupiers (53.76 %) did not respond to the survey

 

            One resident from Orchardville Avenue who is not in favour of the dual language nameplate has responded on the survey form that they would prefer that the money was spent on things which directly impact on families. While they believe in equality, they believe that dual language street signage is not the best use of time and money to promote inclusion. This resident is also concerned that the sign could be seen as an endorsement from residents who could become a target for people who are not happy with the signage.

 

3.7       Wynchurch Avenue, BT6

 

·        20 occupiers (17.70%) were in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate

·        30 occupiers (26.55%) were not in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate

·        4 occupiers (3.54%) had no preference either way

·        59 occupiers (52.21%) did not respond to the survey

 

3.8       One resident from Wynchurch Avenue who is not in favour of the dual language nameplate has responded on the survey form that they are concerned about the divisive impact of an Irish translation on a street name plate.

 

3.9       Mayfield Square, BT10

 

·        49 occupiers (28.99%) were in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate

·        3 occupiers (1.78%) were not in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate

·        1 occupiers (0.59%) had no preference either way

·        116 occupiers (68.64%) did not respond to the survey

 

3.10      Hillhead Avenue, BT11

 

·        33 occupiers (49.25%) were in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate

·        2 occupiers (2.99 %) were not in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate

·        1 occupier 1.49%) had no preference either way

·        31 occupiers (46.27%) did not respond to the survey

 

3.11      St Meryl Park, BT11

 

·        54 occupiers (48.21%) were in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate

·        1 occupier (0.89%) had no preference either way

·        57 occupiers (50.89%) did not respond to the survey

 

3.12      Downview Park West, BT15

 

·        70 occupiers (39.55%) were in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate

·        36 occupiers (20.34 %) were not in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate

·        71 occupiers (40.11%) did not respond to the survey

 

            One resident from Downview Park West who is not in favour of the dual language nameplate has written in to complain about the time and money being wasted on what they perceive to be trivial issues. Another resident telephoned to raise a concern about their property depreciating in value should the signage be erected

 

            A further resident from Downview Park West has written in and is strongly objecting to the dual language nameplate in a mixed area. The resident feels that a dual language nameplate can be very divisive. The resident has also requested to address the decision makers at Committee.

 

3.13      Chichester Avenue, BT15 5EH

 

·        12 occupiers (17.14%) were in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate

·        10 occupiers (14.29%) were not in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate

·        1 occupier (1.43%) had no preference either way

·        47 occupiers (67.14%) did not respond to the survey

 

3.14      Ballymurphy Drive, BT12

 

·        29 occupiers (29.29%) were in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate

·        70 occupiers (70.71%) did not respond to the survey check if these change

 

3.15      Margaretta Park, BT17

 

·        61 occupiers (48.80%) were in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate

·        1 occupier (0.8%) was not in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate

·        63 (50.40%) did not respond to the survey

 

3.16      Airfield Heights, BT11

 

·        53 occupiers (29.61%) were in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate

·        126 occupiers (70.39%) did not respond to the survey

 

            Assessment against policy

 

3.17      The Council’s policy on the erection of a second street nameplate requires that at least fifteen percent (15%) of the occupiers surveyed must be in favour of the proposal to erect a second street sign in a language other than English, to progress to Committee for consideration.

 

3.18      All of the surveys listed above demonstrate compliance with the threshold contained within the Policy. However the Committee is reminded that the Council retain a residual discretion under the Policy to decide to erect or not to erect a street sign in a language other than English in certain circumstances. This will be done on a case by case basis.

 

3.19      The Policy states that it may be appropriate to depart from the procedures in this Policy when there are clear reasons for doing so. This may include taking into account:

 

(a)    the views of the Occupiers of the street;

(b)   the results of the initial assessment for the application, including any identified potential adverse impacts on equality, good relations and rural needs;

(c)    consideration of the local context of the application;

(d)   any other Council policies or strategies related to the application; and

(e)    all material considerations relating to the application.

 

3.20      As appears above one of the objectors in respect of the Downview Park West application has asked to make a deputation to the Committee. Committee are asked to consider inviting the resident to a subsequent meeting of the Committee and defer making a decision in respect of that application until it has heard that deputation.

 

            Financial and Resource Implications

 

3.21      There is a cost of approximately £3,350to cover the cost of the manufacturing and erection of approximately 28 dual language street signs. The cost for these street signs has been allowed for in the current budget.

 

            Equality or Good Relations Implications/

            Rural Needs Assessment

 

3.22      Each application for a dual language street sign is subject to an initial assessment for any potential adverse impacts on the grounds of equality, good relations and rural needs.

 

3.23      The initial assessments and elected member notification carried out for the 10 applications being considered did not identify any potential adverse impacts to prevent the surveys being carried out. However, the Committee is entitled to take into account the concerns raised by the residents as set out above in arriving to their decision.”

 

            After discussion, it was

 

            Moved by Councillor Magee,

            Seconded by Councillor M. Donnelly,

 

                                 That the Committee agrees to the erection of a second street nameplate in Irish at Orchardville Avenue, Mayfield Square, Hillhead Avenue, St Meryl Park, Downview Park West, Chichester Avenue, Ballymurphy Drive, Airfield Heights and Margaretta Park; and that the application in respect of Wynchurch Avenue be deferred to enable the occupiers to be resurveyed.

 

            On a vote, fourteen Members voted for the proposal and five against and it was declared carried.

 

Further Proposal

 

            Moved but Councillor Cobain,

            Seconded by Councillor Verner,

 

            That, notwithstanding the previous decision, the objector to the application in relation to Downview Park West who had requested to address the Committee be invited to the next meeting.

 

            On a vote, six Members voted for the proposal and thirteen against and it was declared lost.