Public Asked For Views On Nuisance Noise In Belfast City Centre

Belfast City Council is to explore the public's opinions on nuisance noise in the city centre and how to make the area more welcoming to shoppers and visitors.

The council has announced a public consultation on the development of proposed new bye-laws. Councillors had previously agreed to use the powers available to the council, under the Local Government Act (NI) 1972, to look at ways to tackle issues arising in recent years from loud busking, religious preaching and various other activities involving the use of amplification devices or graphic imagery.

Draft bye-laws, which propose the potential introduction of a permit scheme, have now been drawn up, and views on the concept can be shared at yoursay.belfastcity.gov.uk until Monday 4 March 2024.

In developing its initial proposals for a permit scheme, the council has sought to strike the balance between freedom of expression and the need to tackle the noise nuisance that can result when multiple individuals or organisations come together in busy pedestrian areas to share their views, ideas or performances, often using amplification devices.

The scheme also recognises the council’s role in creating a vibrant, diverse and welcoming city centre and reflects feedback received from traders, residents and visitors on how the cumulative impact of some activities has had a negative impact on some areas.

Under the initial proposals, anyone who wishes to use an amplification device in the city centre, including the primary retail core, would require a permit from the council. This would include any situation where on-street amplification is used, such as busking, preaching and outdoor performances.

The same rules would also apply to anyone wishing to place a stand, stall or vehicle carrying any form of promotional literature or other information on the street, regardless of its purpose. This would include displays of graphic imagery.

A small fee would apply for each permit and anyone operating without a permit would face a fine of no more than £500. The fee structure for the scheme is yet to be determined.

The council is also proposing that permits would be valid for one year, in most cases, and would entitle the holder to carry out their agreed activity for a maximum of one hour in the primary retail core, or two hours in the wider city centre.

Additional conditions could also be added for permit holders, depending on the nature, extent or location of their proposed activity, and the council would be able to vary or revoke permits which have been previously issued.

All views on the draft bye-laws and initial proposals for the permit scheme are welcome.

After the consultation period has ended, feedback from the survey will be presented to councillors and used to further inform the design and implementation of the proposals.

The final bye-laws will then be brought to the Department for Communities for approval before they can be formally adopted and rolled out by Belfast City Council.