Licence summary
If you operate a sports ground in Northern Ireland that has been designated under the Safety of Sports Grounds (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 you will be required to hold a Safety Certificate.
A Safety Certificate may be either:
- A General Safety Certificate issued for the use of a sports ground for a specified activity, or activities, during an indefinite period;
- A Special Safety Certificate for the use of a sports ground for a specified activity or activities on a specified occasion or occasions.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a Safety Certificate, you must be likely to be in a position to prevent contravention of the terms and conditions of a Certificate.
Regulation Summary
Safety of Sports Grounds (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (www.legislation.gov.uk)
Sports Grounds Safety Certificates For Regulated Stands:
Licence summary
If you operate a Sports Ground, which is not designated as requiring a Safety Certificate, you will require a Safety Certificate for Regulated Stand in respect of any stand that holds 500 or more spectators, which is issued by the District Council.
A Safety Certificate may be either:
- A General Safety Certificate which covers the use of the stand for viewing an activity or a number of activities, specified in the Certificate for an indefinite period starting on a specified date.
- A Special Safety Certificate which covers the use of the stand for viewing a certain specified activity or activities, on a certain specified occasion or occasions.
One Certificate may cover more than one stand.
You must comply with any conditions attached to a Certificate.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a General Safety Certificate, you must be the person responsible for the management of the ground.
To be eligible for a Special Safety Certificate, you must be the person responsible for the activity to be viewed from the stand on that occasion.
Regulation Summary
Safety of Sports Grounds (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (www.legislation.gov.uk)
The Council will determine if any stand in its area is a Regulated Stand. If it is determined that it is, a Notice will be served on the person who appears would qualify to be issued with a General Safety Certificate. The Notice will give details of their determination and the effects of the determination.
Application Evaluation Process for Sports Grounds Safety Certificates and Regulated Stands
Applicants must provide requested information and plans to the Council within the time specified.
The Council will determine if the applicant is a person likely to be in position to prevent breach of the terms and conditions of a Sports Ground Safety Certificate.
When the Council receives an application for a General Safety Certificate for a Regulated Stand at a Sports Ground it must determine if the stand is a Regulated Stand and if the applicant is the person who qualifies for the issue of the Certificate. If the Council has already determined that the stand is a Regulated Stand and it has not revoked this decision, it will decide if the applicant is the person who qualifies for the issue of the General Safety Certificate. If the Council receives an application for a Special Safety Certificate for a Regulated Stand they must determine if the applicant qualifies for the issue of a Certificate.
A copy of the application will be sent to the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and they will be consulted on the terms and conditions to be included in the Certificate.
If an application is made to transfer a Certificate the Council must determine if the person to whom the certificate is to be transferred, if they made an application, would qualify for the issue of a Certificate. The applicant may be the current holder of the Certificate or the person to whom the certificate is to be transferred.
The Council will send a copy of a Transfer application to the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. They shall consult them about any proposed amendment, replacement or transfer.
Will Tacit Consent Apply?
No. It is in the public interest that because of the health and safety risks to large numbers of people the Council must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the Council within a reasonable period, please contact the Environmental Health Department.
Whilst Tacit Consent does not apply the Council will strive to notify all applicants of the outcome of their application, including issuing a Certificate if appropriate, within 180 days of receipt of the application.
Apply Online - Sports Ground Safety Certificate
Apply for a Sports Ground Safety Certificate (www.gov.uk)
Tell us about a change to your existing circumstances (www.gov.uk)
Apply Online – Regulated Stands at Sports Ground Safety Certificate
Apply for a Regulated Stands at Sports Grounds Safety Certificate (www.gov.uk)
Tell us about a change to your existing circumstances (www.gov.uk)
Fees
Fees apply to all applications:
| Application for Sports Ground Safety Certificate: |
£100.00 |
| Amendment, replacement or transfer of Safety Certificate for Sports Grounds |
£50.00 |
| Application for Safety Certificate for Regulated Stands at Sports Grounds |
£50.00 |
| Amendment, replacement or transfer of Safety Certificate for Regulated Stands at Sports Grounds |
£25.00 |
Failed Application Redress/Licence Holder Redress
Any applicant who is refused a General Safety Certificate or a Safety Certificate for Regulated Stands because they are not considered to be an eligible person can appeal to the Magistrate’s Court.
An applicant who is refused a Special Safety Certificate or a Special Safety Certificate for Sports Stands may also appeal to the Magistrate’s Court against a refusal of the application based on grounds other than a decision that they are not an eligible person.
Any licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition attached to, or the omission of anything from, their Safety Certificate, or against the refusal to amend or replace a Safety Certificate, may appeal to the Magistrate’s Court. They may also appeal to the County Court against an Order of the Magistrate’s Court.
Any person who is served with a Notice determining that a Sports Stand is a Regulated Sports Stand may appeal to the Magistrate’s Court.
Consumer Complaints
In the event of a complaint the first contact should be made with the Environmental Health Department. If you are located in the UK, Citizens Advice Bureau will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Public Register
A register of Sports Grounds Safety Certificates and Sports Grounds Safety Certificates for Sports Stands issued can be provided on request.
Data Protection
Under the Data Protection Act, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has a legal duty to protect any information we collect about you. It will not be disclosed to any third party unless law or regulation compel such disclosure or unless we have been specifically asked to do so in order to deliver a service which you have requested.
Contact Details
Environmental Health
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
Mossley Mill
Carnmoney Road North
Newtownabbey,
BT36 5QA
Tel: 028 9034 0000
Email: envhealth@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk