Residents asked for their views on Belfast’s ‘comprehensive’ public toilet policy

Belfast City Council is seeking feedback on its draft new toilet policy for the city’s public buildings.

The proposed policy has been published on the council’s website along with a survey on the ‘Your Say Belfast’ platform and will remain open for 12 weeks.

‘Changing Places’ toilets are specialized toilet facilities that make public places and spaces more accessible and inclusive for everyone, including children, adults and older people with complex needs or mobility issues.

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It features special equipment such as a height-adjustable adult-sized changing table, a tracked hoist system, plenty of space for disabled people and up to two carers, and a non-slip floor.

The draft policy sets out the proposed approach to include changing toilet facilities in all new large council building developments with a capacity of 350 people or more, in accordance with building regulations.

The draft policy requires organizers of large public events (such as concerts or festivals that require council permission) on council premises to provide reasonable support for customers to have access to either fixed or portable venues. It is expected to include a commitment to require the government to make significant adjustments. Change location units as part of event delivery.

Councilor Ross McMullan, chair of the council’s disability group, successfully tabled a motion calling for a relocation toilet policy at the council.

Councilor McMullan said: “Through the Belfast Agenda, the city’s community plan, the council has made a commitment to deliver an accessible city for all, and the changing room toilets will help deliver that vision. We recognize the importance of this.”

“The provision of changing toilets is a fundamental pillar of everyone’s right to full participation in society. However, the current lack of provision of changing toilets means that many people with disabilities are denied that right. It means that it has not been achieved.

“Our draft changing toilet policy sets out the City Council’s proposed approach and commitment to providing these specialized facilities on city grounds and in public places across the city, and will help people with disabilities. It also demonstrates our commitment to providing equal opportunity to all.”

“We welcome feedback on the draft policy posted on our website and on the Your Say Belfast platform.”

Gerald Mullan, a member of the council’s Disability Advisory Committee, said: ‘People with severe multiple learning disabilities or other disabilities that significantly limit their mobility should not be able to access standard accessible/disabled toilets. It can not be used.

“They may have limited mobility of their own, so they may need specialized aids or the support of one or two caregivers to use the toilet. .

“Changing and toilet facilities are therefore very important for people with complex care needs to be able to take part in everyday activities such as traveling, shopping, family outings, attending events etc. Toilet policies that change the way people use their toilets should be greatly welcomed. ”

A standard-sized changing room toilet is a room with a floor area of ​​12 meters square (3 meters wide, 4 meters long, and ceiling height 2.4 meters). The 3m x 4m room provides a rectangular space for users and caregivers to move between each fixture in the toilet.

The council will also seek to include changing place facilities when extending or majorly renovating existing council-owned buildings where it is reasonable and meets resource and design requirements.

If a large public event is to be held and permanent changing room toilets are not available, the council will consider whether it can be held at a venue that already has changing room facilities, or whether it can be held at a venue that already has changing room facilities, or whether it can be held in a mobile/portable facility.

Council venues currently have a number of changing room facilities.

These are located at – City Hall, Belfast Zoo, Waterfront Hall, Andersonstown Leisure Center & Spa, Olympia Leisure Centre, Lisnashaller Leisure Centre, Brook Leisure Centre, Templemore Baths and Girtwood Community Hub.

The Changing Place restroom facility will be included in the new Black Mountain Shared Spaces project building, which is expected to be completed later this year.

As part of the council’s ongoing public consultation on proposals to transform Waterworks Park and Alexandra Park, Changing Place facilities are being proposed for both parks.

For more information on the draft policy on changing room toilets, please visit the City Council website here and ‘Belfast View’ here.

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