Public Access to the Land

How the Land is Used Today

The land identified for the proposed 4G pitch is currently open and freely accessible to the public. Residents have raised concerns that the nature of access to this area could change significantly if the development proceeds.

At present, this area is used informally by a wide range of people within the community for activities such as:

• Walking and jogging
• Dog walking
• Informal recreation and play
• Enjoying accessible green open space close to home

The space currently remains open without fencing, booking requirements or controlled access arrangements, allowing flexible day-to-day community use.

What the Development Could Mean for Access

Belfast City Council has indicated that the proposed facility would operate through a managed booking system. While the facility would remain publicly owned, residents are concerned that extensive block bookings and operational arrangements could substantially reduce the availability of the space for informal public use.

Residents are also concerned that:

• Fencing and controlled entry arrangements would change the currently open nature of the space
• Access would become dependent on bookings, opening hours and operational management
• Peak evening and weekend availability may become heavily allocated to organised sports use
• Informal recreational use of this section of the park may no longer be possible in the same way as it is today

Residents believe these issues are particularly important given the park's Fields in Trust protection and its long-standing role as open community recreational space.

This Has Happened Before

Some residents feel that similar patterns of operational control have already emerged elsewhere within Orangefield Park.

Examples raised include:

• The velodrome area, where organised football activity and fencing arrangements changed the character and accessibility of the space
• The public changing pavilion at Houston Park, which many residents feel is now primarily associated with organised bookings rather than wider casual community use

Residents are concerned that the proposed 4G pitch could further contribute to the gradual intensification and operational control of public recreational space within the park.

Public Land and Community Benefit

Residents recognise the importance of organised sport and community football provision. However, concerns remain regarding how public access, openness and wider community benefit would be protected in practice if the development proceeds.

A key concern is whether a heavily programmed and operationally managed synthetic pitch can continue to function as genuinely open and accessible public recreational space in the same way as the current parkland.

Residents are therefore calling for greater clarity regarding:

• Booking arrangements
• Public access safeguards
• Operational management
• How meaningful community accessibility would be maintained over the long term

The Community Should Be Heard

Residents believe decisions relating to publicly owned recreational land should involve meaningful local consultation and careful consideration of the long-term impact on the wider community.

The residents group is encouraging local people to:

• Participate in consultation processes
• Attend meetings
• Review available information
• Ensure that community views are fully considered before any decisions are made