Agenda item

The Committee considered a report regarding the introduction of a process for dealing with applications for dual language street signs in respect of which a fifteen per cent support threshold had not been reached. It was noted that the policy introduced in 2023 had not determined how further applications for a dual language street signs on the same street/road should be dealt with, that is, whether they should remain open or be closed, and, if closed, for what period of time. The report contained a recommendation that applications for the same second language be closed and that further applications would not be accepted for two years from the date of the closure of the original application. 

The Director of Planning and Building Control advised the Committee that, since the introduction of the dual language street sign policy, 33 of the streets surveyed had not met with the 15% threshold for the erection of a dual language street sign. In addition, it was reported that 1523 applications for 922 streets were awaiting processing and that, on average, eight applications were being presented for approval to the Committee on a monthly basis.

Discussion ensued and it was suggested that, should the Committee agree to the closure of the further applications for the same language and impose a timeline on their acceptance, it would not take into account changing demographics and preclude new residents from exercising an opinion. However, it was pointed out that there existed no mechanism within the policy to enable residents to request that an application be closed permanently, nor permit residents to apply to have an existing dual language street sign removed in the event of demographics changing.

University Street

            In considering a list of streets within the report which had not reached the 15 per cent support threshold, a Member referred specifically to University Street, which had received the support of 14.28 per cent of respondents.

            The Committee was reminded that, in March, The Queen’s University of Belfast had conducted a poll of students on the introduction of bilingual Irish-English signage policy across the campus, in respect of which 91 per cent of those voting had supported the introduction of the policy. Within the context of the poll, the Member suggested that the Committee should exercise its discretion and vote upon the introduction of dual language street signage in University Street or resurvey the properties. It was noted that 126 surveys had been issued within University Street – 90 to domestic properties and 36 to commercial properties – and that 18 responses had been received in support of the proposal. Other Members pointed out that the policy was clear in the threshold required for the erection of a dual language street sign and that to make an exception for University Street would set an unnecessary precedent. 

After further discussion, the Committee agreed to defer consideration of the report to enable the submission of two further reports, one which would clarify a range of issues and queries raised and one specifically in relation to University Street.