Section 3 - Identifying the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas
3A. Has the Public Authority taken steps to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas that are relevant to the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?
No
3B. Please indicate which of the following methods or information sources were used by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.
Not applicable.
3C. Please provide details of the methods and information sources used to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas including relevant dates, names of organisations, titles of publications, website references, details of surveys or consultations undertaken etc.
Not applicable.
3D. Please provide details of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas which have been identified by the Public Authority.
Not applicable.
3E. Please explain why no steps were taken by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas?
The proposed Planning Application Validation Checklist applies to all areas of the city, urban and rural equally. It does not differentiate between any specific community whether urban or rural.
The draft Planning Application Validation Checklist has considered the impacts on a range of existing and potential stakeholders. As part of the consultation and engagement approach for this process, stakeholders representing key sectors and bodies will be consulted with during the ten-week public consultation period. This process will allow council to identify any social and economic needs of people in rural areas. To date, through evidence gathering such as the Belfast Agenda refresh, specific social and economic needs of people in rural areas have not been identified within the council area. Overarching themes such as a desire to grow the economy and increase the city’s population, which are key objectives of the Belfast Agenda are supported by this process. The council will use the consultation period to identify specific issues, to review and update the draft Planning Application Validation Checklist and any improvements that will enhance the Council’s planning processes.
