Public Services (Health, Education and Community Facilities)

Local Development Plan - Position Paper Public Services (Health, Education and Community Facilities)

CONTENTS

Executive Summary ...... 5 Introduction ...... 6 Regional Policy Context ...... 7 Regional Development Strategy (RDS) 2035...... 7 Programme for Government ...... 8 Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) ...... 8 Relevant Operational Planning Policy ...... 11 Planning Policy Statement 21: Sustainable Development in the Countryside...... 11 Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland ...... 11 Supplementary Planning Guidance ...... 11 Extant Area Plans ...... 11 North Down and Ards Area Plan 1984-1995 (NDAAP), Belfast Urban Area Plan, draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 (dBMAP) and Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 (BMAP) ...... 11 Ards and Down Area Plan 2015 ...... 13 Other Council Plans and Strategies ...... 13 The Big Plan for Ards and North Down 2017-2032 (The Community Plan) ...... 13 Ards and North Down Borough Council Corporate Plan 2015-19 ...... 14 Demographics of Ards and North Down Borough Council Area ...... 15 Education Provision in Ards and North Down Borough Council Area ...... 18 Providing Pathways - Strategic Area Plan for School Provision...... 18 Existing Public Service Provision within Ards and North Down Area ...... 20 Libraries ...... 20 Community Centres ...... 20 Community Services ...... 20 Youth Facilities ...... 22 Health Profile in Ards and North Down ...... 22 Existing Health Provision in Ards and North Down Borough Council Area ...... 26 Ambulance Service ...... 28 Residential and Care Home Facilities ...... 30 Leisure facilities in Ards and North Down Borough Area ...... 30 Emergency Service Provision in Ards and North Down Borough Council Area...... 31 Fire and Rescue Stations...... 31 Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)...... 33 Key Findings ...... 34 Conclusion ...... 35 3

APPENDIX ...... 36 Map 3: Housing designation NS 20 at Cronstown, Newtownards...... 36 Enrolments and unfilled places in schools in the Ards and North Down Borough Council Area ...... 37 Community Centres ...... 41 Private Care Home facilities within Ards and North Down Borough Council Area. 41 GP Practices located in Ards and North Down Borough Council 2017 ...... 43 Maritime and Coastguard Agency ...... 44 RNLI Stations ...... 44

Executive Summary

This Position Paper aims to provide an overview of the baseline evidence in relation to Public Services in Ards and North Down Borough Council area with a view to informing members as to the key issues within the Borough. In this context ‘Public Services’ refers to Education, Health and Community facilities and services.

It is important to stress that in compiling the position paper the best information available has been used and will be revised as necessary in light of the release of any relevant new data.

This paper and subsequently the views of members generated from the upcoming engagement event will provide a foundation for direction of the Preferred Options Paper (POP). The POP is the earliest stage of plan preparation and will form the basis for consulting with the public and stakeholders on a range of options for dealing with key issues in the Borough.

Any future decision making will need to be made within the context of a Sustainability Appraisal under the provision of Planning (Northern Ireland) Act 2011. This paper is therefore intended to generate member’s ideas on how planning can best meet future requirements for public services within Ards and North Down Council area.

Introduction

1.1 The aim of this paper is to provide baseline evidence which will help to inform members and enable meaningful participation in the Local Development Plan (LDP) workshop on Public Services.

1.2 The provision of health and education facilities is beyond the role of Planning, however in areas where a need has been identified land can be protected by the LDP.

1.3 Many conditions such as obesity, chronic heart disease, stress and mental health are intricately linked to the environments in which people live, work and spend leisure time. These are not limited to the physical environment but also include the social and economic environment.

1.4 “Planning in the broadest sense – from development management and infrastructure to the location of health and community services – can play a central role in creating environments that enhance people’s health and wellbeing. In the twenty-first century, we need to develop a new urban agenda focused on healthy placemaking for all”1.

1.5 This Paper provides baseline information relating to Education, Health and Community facilities and services within Ards and North Down Borough Council Area. This includes schools, hospitals, GP practices, care Homes, community centres and emergency services.

1.6 Key findings, as a result of the evidence collated, are outlined as main areas of consideration in the ongoing preparation of the Borough’s new LDP. The paper concludes with a brief overview of the envisaged next steps in the process, with in relation to this topic area, particularly with regard to the Preferred Options Paper and Plan Strategy stages.

1 Planning Horizons: Promoting Healthy Cities – RTPI 2014 6

Regional Policy Context

Regional Development Strategy (RDS) 2035

2.1 The RDS 20352 provides an overarching strategic framework to facilitate and guide development in the public and private sectors.

2.2 Sustainable development is at the heart of the RDS, sustainable development is defined by development which ‘aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,3. One of the aims is to promote development which improves health and well-being of communities.

2.3 The RDS identifies Newtownards as a main hub to be developed as a major location providing employment services, and a range of cultural and leisure amenities. Decisions on the future location of new public sector development for a variety of functions, including health and education, will take into account its strategic role.

2.4 Bangor is described as an important retail and commercial centre. The potential development of Bangor centres on its modern marina and creating opportunities around the promenade area.

2.5 Para 3.94 of the RDS states that we must strive to keep our rural areas sustainable and ensure that people who live there either through choice or birth have access to services and are offered opportunities in terms of accessing education, jobs, healthcare and leisure.

2 Regional Development Strategy 2035 3 Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future. 7

Programme for Government

2.6 The RDS aims to support the Programme for Government (PfG). The Draft framework 2016-2021 is currently out for consultation and sets out the ambition the Executive has for our society. It includes indicators, measures and outcomes. The purpose of the Programme for Government is outlined as ‘Improving wellbeing for all by tacking disadvantage, and driving economic growth.’ 4

2.7 Some of the key indicators for Government relating to education, health and community (PfG) are to:

 Reduce health inequality

 Increase healthy life expectancy

 Reduce preventable deaths

 Improve the quality of the healthcare experience

 Improve mental health

 Improve health in pregnancy

 Improve support for adults with care needs

 Improve educational outcomes

 Reduce educational inequality

 Improve the quality of education

 Improve the skills profile of the population

Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS)

2.8 The Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) was published by the Department of the Environment (DOE) in September 2015. The SPPS states that the Local Development Plan should allocate sufficient land to meet the anticipated needs of the community in terms of health, education and other public services.

4 PfG 2016-2021 – Programme for Government Outcomes Framework pg. 12 8

2.9 The SPPS also states that the planning system has an active role to play in helping to better the lives of people and communities and in supporting the Executive’s key priority of improving health and well -being. The SPPS therefore includes ‘Improving Health and Wellbeing’ as a core planning principle.

2.10 The SPPS recognises that well designed buildings and successful places can have a positive impact on how people feel. The way in which places and buildings are configured, patterns of movement in the space around us and the level of access to quality open space are all factors that can make us feel good. Successful places also influence the choices we make which may contribute positively to improving our health and well-being e.g. whether to walk or cycle, or whether to stay longer in a good place.

2.11 According to the SPPS, when plan-making and decision-taking planning authorities should contribute positively to health and wellbeing through:

 safeguarding and facilitating quality open space, sport and outdoor recreation;  providing for safe and secure age-friendly environments;  encouraging and supporting quality, environmentally sustainable design;  better connected communities with safe pedestrian environments;  better integration between land-use planning and transport;  facilitating the protection and provision of green and blue infrastructure;  supporting the provision of jobs, services, and economic growth;  supporting delivery of homes to meet the full range of housing needs, contributing to balanced communities; and  supporting broader government policy aimed at addressing for example obesity, and health and well-being impacts arising through pollution.

Figure 1: The determinants of health and well-being in our neighbourhoods.

Source: (Strategic Planning Policy Statement SPPS5)

2.12 Figure 1 above shows the determinants of health and well-being in our neighbourhoods. ‘People are at the heart of the map, reflecting not only the focus on health, but also the anthropogenic definition of sustainable development (Brundtland, 1987). All the different facets of a human settlement are reflected in the series of spheres which move through social, economic and environmental variables. The settlement is set within its bioregion and the global ecosystem on which it ultimately depends.’ (Barton and Grant 2010)6

2.13 The SPPS indicates that Planning Authorities may engage with relevant bodies and agencies within health remits in order to understand and take account of health issues and the needs of local communities. Councils may bring forward local

5 Strategic Planning Policy Statement SPPS 6 Barton, H. and Grant, M. (2006) A health map for the local human habitat. The Journal for the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 10

policies that contribute to improving health and well-being as well as those which promote social cohesion and the development of social capital, the provision of health, security, community and cultural infrastructure and other local facilities.

Relevant Operational Planning Policy

Planning Policy Statement 21: Sustainable Development in the Countryside

3.1 Planning Policy Statement 21 outlines planning policy for education, health and community facility development in rural areas. Policy CTY 1 states that planning permission will be granted in principle for a necessary community facility to serve the local rural population.

Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland

3.2 The Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland sets out the regional policy for community needs. Policy PSU 1 aims to allocate sufficient land to meet the anticipated needs of the community, in terms of health, education and other public facilities.

Supplementary Planning Guidance

3.3 Supplementary planning guidance is provided in DCAN 9: Residential and Nursing Homes and DCAN 13: Creches, Day Nurseries and Pre-school Playgroups.

Extant Area Plans

North Down and Ards Area Plan 1984-1995 (NDAAP), Belfast Urban Area Plan, draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 (dBMAP) and Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 (BMAP)

4.1 It should be noted that BMAP was adopted in September 2014 but was subsequently quashed as a result of a judgment in the Court of Appeal delivered on 18 May 2017. 11

As a consequence of this, the North Down and Ards Area Plan 1984-1995, the Belfast Urban Area Plan, and Bangor Town Centre Plan 1995 are now the statutory Development Plans for the North Down area with draft BMAP remaining a material consideration. These plans remain extant until replaced by the new Local Development Plan (LDP) for the Borough. The existing plans are an important consideration in the LDP process, as they provide a starting point for the review of our spatial planning options.

4.2 Volume 7 of draft BMAP 2015 sets out policies for (former) North Down District. These policies have been developed in the context of the Plan Strategy and Framework contained in Volume 1 of the Plan and are in general conformity with the RDS.

4.3 Part 3 Volume 1 of dBMAP, under Policy CF 1 ‘Protection of land for Education, Health, Community and Cultural Facilities’ states that planning permission will not be granted for alternative uses on lands identified for the provision of education, health, community uses or cultural facilities.

4.4 Land proposed for education, health, community or cultural uses by the relevant providers are identified in the District Proposals. Exceptionally, where lands identified for community uses become surplus to requirements, alternative uses may be acceptable.

4.5 In North Down, 2 sites have been identified for Health Use. Proposal BR 36 identifies 0.452 hectares of land at Ballyholme. This site was previously occupied by Clifton Special School and currently houses Bayview Centre Adult Daycare Centre. Proposal BR 37 identifies 4.503 hectares of land at Newtownards Road (see Map 2 overleaf). This land is currently occupied by Lakewood Regional Secure Care Centre. Both parcels of land identified are currently being occupied by buildings for health uses.

Ards and Down Area Plan 2015

4.6 The Ards and Down Area Plan 2015 (ADAP) has no identified parcels of specifically for education, community or cultural uses. However Proposal NS20: 57.97 Hectares at Cronstown, North of Movilla Road carries a key design consideration that provision be made in the development scheme for: an area of 2 hectares be reserved for the provision of a primary school; local neighbourhood centre on approximately 1.5 hectares to include local retail outlets and community facilities offering for example, a multipurpose hall and a “Healthy Living Centre” to accommodate medical and fitness facilities.

4.7 Strategic policy COY 1 Community Uses, states that planning permission will be granted for community uses provided all the following criteria are meet:

 there is no significant detrimental effect on amenity;  the proposal does not prejudice the comprehensive development of surrounding lands, particularly on zoned sites;  the proposals are in keeping with the size and character of the settlement and its surroundings  where necessary, additional infrastructure is provided by the developer; and,  there is satisfactory access, parking and sewage disposal arrangements.

Other Council Plans and Strategies

The Big Plan for Ards and North Down 2017-2032 (The Community Plan)

5.1 The Big Plan provides an overarching framework setting out a shared vision and ambition that Ards and North Down’s Strategic Community Planning Partnership has agreed to work towards over the next 15 years.

5.2 The vision outlined in the plan states the ambition of the Big Plan is ‘To have empowered resilient individuals and communities; to reduce inequality; to promote good relations and sustainability; and to improve the accessibility of all public services.’ 13

5.3 The Big Plan contains five outcomes. These are described as being ambitious statements that the Council aspire to accurately reflect the situation of the people who live in Ards and North Down by the year 2032. The two most appropriate outcomes linked to Public Services are outcomes one and two.

5.4 Outcome 1: All people in Ards and North Down fulfil their lifelong potential. Actions under consideration for delivery of the Big Plan: Volunteering programmes, achieving borough-wide Age Friendly Status, family support initiatives, early years support, raising educational attainment, community resilience activities, caring communities, safe and well programme to reduce isolation, expanding on libraries as community hubs.

5.5 Outcome 2: All people in Ards and North Down enjoy good health and wellbeing. Actions under consideration for delivery of the Big Plan: Green prescriptions for people with physical and mental health issues, active ageing programme, caring communities safe and well programmes, outdoor gyms and fit trails, increasing walking routes and cycle paths, mapping of mental health provision.

Ards and North Down Borough Council Corporate Plan 2015-19

6.1 This document sets out the overall strategic direction for the Council in the 2015-19 period. The vision outlined in the Corporate Plan is that Ards and North Down will be a place to be proud of which is more prosperous, vibrant, healthy, sustainable and where people enjoy an excellent quality of life. Under the ‘People’ objective the Corporate Plan states, ‘Improve Health, well-being and promote active lifestyles - we will provide opportunities for residents to enjoy an active lifestyle and work to reduce social deprivation and inequality’.

Demographics of Ards and North Down Borough Council Area

7.1 According to NISRA the Northern Ireland trend is that while the number of children and people aged 16 to 64 are both projected to decrease over the next 25 years and the number of people aged 65 and over is projected to increase. Since 2001, the number of pensioners in Ards and North Down has been above the NI average, numbers have increased and are also projected to rise further between 2008 and 2023. The projected proportion of Ards and North Down residents aged over 65 is 23.27% in 2023 an increase of 3.36% since 2008.

7.2 Population projections for Ards and North Down by age sector are illustrated in Figure 2 below. The population pyramids demonstrate how the population demographics are expected to change. The changes will have implications on public service requirements.

Figure 2: Population Pyramids for Ards and North Down

Population Pyramid for Ards and North Down (2015)

80+ 70-79 60-69 50-59 40-49 30-39 20-29 10-19 0-9

males females

Population Pyramid - 2030

80+ 70-79 60-69 50-59 40-49 30-39 20-29 10-19 0-9

Sources: NISRA 2015 based on mid year population estimates 2016 (published 22nd June 2017) 2030 based on mid-year population projections 2016 (published 26th April 2018)

7.3 The NISRA statistical notice of 27 September 2017 highlights that the number of people aged 85 and over in Northern Ireland has grown by around 900 people per annum throughout the decade ending mid-2016. At Local Government District (LGD) level, the proportion of people aged 85 and over in mid-2016 ranged from 1.4 per cent (2,100 people) in Derry & Strabane to 2.4 per cent (3,900 people) in Ards & North Down. The Borough therefore has the highest proportion of the population aged 85 and over.

7.4 According to NISRA, from 2015 – 2017 in Ards and North Down area male life expectancy was 79.46 years and female life expectancy was 82.6 years, both of which were higher than the Northern Ireland average.

7.5 In 2016, Ards and North Down was the only LGD where the estimated population aged 65 and over exceeded the estimated number of children. At the NI level, the 16

proportion of the population aged 65 and over is projected to overtake that of children by 2028 (20.1 per cent and 19.6 per cent respectively).

7.6 Over the period (2006-2026), the population of 0-15 year olds within Northern Ireland is projected to grow by 0.1%. However, Ards and North Down are one of five LGDs where the number is expected to decrease. The population change of 0-15 year olds in the borough is -4.5%. (see Figure 3 below). Projected population change of the 16-64 year old age group is currently -2.7% +

Figure 3: Population Change 0-15 Year Olds

6 Projected change in number of children (i.e. those aged aged 0-15) by Local 4.9 Government District (mid-2016 to mid-2026) 4.0 4 2.9 2.4 1.9

children children - 0.1 0

-2

-2.7 -3.1 -3.0

-4 -3.7 Percentage change change Percentage -4.6 -4.5 Area (ordered by percentage change)

-6

Belfast

Mid Ulster Mid

Northern Ireland Northern

Mid & East AntrimEast& Mid

Craigavon

Ards & North Down &North Ards

Fermanagh & Omagh Fermanagh

Derry City & City Strabane Derry

Lisburn & Castlereagh & Lisburn

Newry, Mourne & Down & Mourne Newry,

Antrim & Newtownabbey & Antrim Causeway Coast & glens Causeway & Coast

Armagh City, Banbridge & City, Banbridge Armagh

Area (ordered by percentage change)

Source: NISRA mid-2016 based population projections

Education Provision in Ards and North Down Borough Council Area

8.1 The Education Authority (EA) has responsibility for the provision of primary and post primary educational facilities along with library services in the Plan area.

8.2 According to the Department of Education during the year 2017/18, Ards and North Down was served by 104 schools and pre-school education centres. These can be further categorised as:

 47 Primary Schools,  12 Post Primary Schools  3 Special Schools  6 Nursery Schools and  34 Pre- schools.

These schools provide places for 24,267 children. 7.1 per cent of Northern Ireland’s pupils study within the Council area.

Providing Pathways - Strategic Area Plan for School Provision.

8.3 The Education Authority (EA) has published Northern Ireland’s first regional Area Plan for school provision. The main aim of the plan is to create a network of schools of “the right type, the right size, in the right place” and to ensure that all pupils have access to a broad and balanced curriculum that meets their need in sustainable schools within a diverse system of education.

8.4 The EA also published a 2018/19 action plan7 which is the second published plan. The focus of the action plan is on the need to ensure that all pupils have access to a broad and balanced curriculum that meets their needs within a diverse system of

7 Providing Pathways Strategic Area Plan for School Provision 2017-2020 – Action Plan 2018-19

18 education through a network of sustainable schools. The plan identifies key priorities and actions that it and other managing authorities will focus on in the first year. This action plan names individual schools and makes specific recommendations. These recommendations include increasing or decreasing enrolment numbers, mergers and establishing Autistic Spectrum Disorder centres. Two schools within Ards and North Down Borough council area are included in that list, Movilla High School, Newtownards and St Columba’s College, Portaferry. Sustainability of schools is identified in this document as the key issue.

Table 1: Key issues and actions regarding Movilla High School and St Columba’s College

Post Primary Key issue Action School/Area Movilla High School Address school Managing authority to Donaghadee Road provision where consult on options for Newtownards sustainability is an future provision at BT23 7HA issue Movilla High School by June 2018 St Columba’s College Address school Managing authority to 2 Ballyphilip Road provision where consult on options for Portaferry sustainability is an future post- primary. BT22 1RB issue Provision by June 2018

Source: Annual Action Plan for Primary, Post Primary and Special Schools, April 2018-March 2019.

Existing Public Service Provision within Ards and North Down Area

Libraries

8.5 Libraries are located in Bangor, Comber, Donaghadee, Holywood, Newtownards and Portaferry. Bangor mobile library helps to ensure that those who would find it difficult travelling to the permanent site have access to the library resources on a bi- weekly basis. This service is considered valuable to all and in particular the older members of the community.

Community Centres

9.1 The Council is responsible for the provision and maintenance of most community centres. Proposals for new community facilities will be considered in the context of prevailing regional planning policy and the Plan proposals. Map 3 overleaf shows the distribution of Community Centres within the Borough.

9.2 Portaferry Market House has undergone extensive renovations to provide a shared space for residents and visitors and provides a central community hub for various activities. The historic Grade B1 listed building received £350,000 worth of repairs and refurbishment under the Portaferry Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) - a heritage-led scheme, administered by Portaferry Regeneration Ltd, to regenerate buildings within Portaferry’s historic town centre. The Market House project was funded jointly by the Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Community Services

9.2 Aside from community centres, the Council has a wide remit in relation to community development, the provision of community services and the support of local communities. This includes:

 Delivery of the PEACE IV Programme;  Support and development services to assist local community and voluntary groups;  Neighbourhood Renewal;  Good Relations;  Community Safety;  Policing and Community Safety Partnership; and  Delivery of Community Activity programmes;

Map 3: Distribution of Community Centres within the Borough

Source: Ards and North Down Borough Council Youth Facilities

9.3 The Education Authority provides informal educational opportunities through a comprehensive range of youth services. The youth section seeks to achieve its aims in ensuring the provision of opportunities for young people through:

 Sponsorship of youth organisations  Professional and financial support to individual young people  Curriculum support and guidance  Leadership training  International events  Provision of residential educations.

9.4 Youth service facilities are located at:

 Ards Resource Centre, Ards Arena, 62 South Street, Newtownards

 Child protection and safeguarding unit, Ards Arena, 62 South Street, Newtownards

 North Down Youth Resource Centre – Conlig Youth Resource Centre Coronation Avenue, Conlig.

Health Profile in Ards and North Down

10.1 The Department of Health retains overall authority for Health and Social Care services in Northern Ireland. Services are commissioned by the Health and Social Care Board and provided by Health and Social Care Trusts. Ards and North Down is covered by the South Eastern Trust along with Lisburn and part of Castlereagh.

10.2 Since 2001, the number of pensioners in Ards and North Down has been above the NI average, numbers have increased and are also projected to rise further between

2008 and 2023. The projected proportion of Ards and North Down residents aged over 65 is 23.27% in 2023 this represents an increase of 3.36% since 2008. The number of people aged 85 and over in Northern Ireland has grown by around 1,000 people per annum throughout the decade ending mid-2015.

10.3 According to the Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service (NINIS) there were 1,564 people on the dementia register (all ages) and 420 people on the osteoporosis register (aged 50 plus years) within Ards and North Down as of 2018.

10.4 A total of 12,379 patients were on the Obesity Register within Ards and North Down in 2015. Figure 4 below shows the childhood obesity rate amongst P1 pupils within Ards and North Down is higher than comparable figures for Northern Ireland as a whole calculated as a three year rolling average.

Figure 4: Childhood obesity rate of P1 pupils (Three-year rolling average)

Childhood obesity rate (P1 Pupils) 6 4 2 0 2008/09 - 2010/11 2009/10 - 2011/12 2010/11 - 2012/13 2011/12 - 2013/14 2012/13 - 2014/15

Ards & North Down NI

Source: NISRA, NI Health & Social Care Inequalities Monitoring System (HSCIMS)

10.5 ‘Transforming Your Care: A Review of Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland’

Published in December 2011, this report confirms that people are living longer and that demand for health and social care services will only increase in the future. It highlights the need for change so that we can meet everyone’s needs in the future. After the report was published the Health and Social Care (HSC) organisations in NI developed draft plans for implementation in terms of service changes. Following public consultation HSC Organisations have been making changes and begun to

implement the model set out in ‘Transforming your Care8.’

10.6 A striking feature of the provision of care in NI is the distribution of hospital type features/facilities outside the major city, Belfast, some are serving relatively small populations by United Kingdom standards. This geographical pattern leads to specialist expertise being too thinly spread and to the patchy availability of experienced and fully competent staff. There is therefore a two tier service operating in NI – ‘in hours’ and ‘out- of-hours’ this is more pronounced in some places than in others. Delivery of services is too often higher risk than it should be in 21st Century healthcare system because of the pattern of services.

10.7 Map 4 overleaf illustrates driving times to Accident and Emergency hospitals from the Borough. It shows that travel time increases as you move south through the Peninsula (greater than thirty minutes around Portaferry).

8 Transforming your Care: A Review of Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland. 24

Map 4: Drive Time to Accident and Emergency hospitals from the Borough

Existing Health Provision in Ards and North Down Borough Council Area

10.8 There are currently two hospitals in the Ards and North Down Borough Council Area: Ards Community Hospital and Bangor Community Hospital.

10.9 Ards Community Hospital provides a range of health, primary and social care services including a minor injuries unit, X ray Department, GP wards, out patient’s department and GP out of hours.

10.10 Bangor Community Hospital provides a range of health, social and primary care services including an out patient’s department a therapy rehabilitation centre, X ray department and minor injuries unit. Other services include continence, sexual heath, family planning, and audiology and community stroke rehabilitation.

10.11 There are no acute hospitals with a 24/7 Emergency Department located within the Borough. The nearest acute hospital is the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald. This illustrates the two tier system in operation. Downe Hospital is located in Downpatrick and has an Emergency Department in operation from 8am-8pm (Monday - Friday, closed weekends). For many residents of the Ards Peninsula, this will be the nearest/most convenient hospital accessed via the Ferry. (Portaferry – Strangford)

10.12 According to the Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service (NINIS) in 2018, Ards and North Down had 28 GP Practices and 109 GPs treating 159,231 registered patients. The distribution of GP Practices across the Borough is shown in Map 5 overleaf.

Map 5: Location of existing GP facilities in Ards and North Down Borough Council Area

Ambulance Service

11.1 The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) serves the whole of Northern Ireland. There are currently five ambulance stations located within the Borough, the locations of these have been identified on Map 4 overleaf.

11.2 Outline planning permission was granted on 7 January 2013 for ‘Construction of ambulance station hub, associated staff/administrative facilities, garaging, car parking and associated site works’ at lands adjacent to the Somme Heritage centre & Whitespots Country Park (X/2012/0153/O). This proposal was for the relocation and replacement of the existing Newtownards and Bangor Hubs with a new combined facility which will allow optimum response to demand and improve ambulance service delivery to the local areas of Bangor, Comber, Donaghadee, Holywood and the Ulster Hospital Dundonald. It was proposed as part of this application that Ards Ambulance Station (John Street) and Bangor Ambulance Station (Newtownards Road) would merge. A reserved matters application has not to date been received.

Map 6: Distribution of ambulance stations in Ards and North Down

Residential and Care Home Facilities

12.1 There are four NHS elderly care homes in the borough:  Northfield House – Church Lane Donaghadee  Newcroft Lodge – 126 Church Road, Holywood  Mount Alexander House – Castle Lodge Park, Comber.  Mertoun Park – 17 Orchard Court Holywood.

12.2 According to Care Homes, there are currently 38 private care home facilities located within the Borough. These vary greatly in size and services provided. Some provide nursing care, some residential care and some provide both. The names and address of these facilities are provided in the Appendix to this document.

Leisure facilities in Ards and North Down Borough Area

12.3 There are currently five leisure complexes located within the Borough, four of which are operated by the Council.

1. Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure complex– Three swimming pools, a gym, Spa, synthetic turf training area, soft play, backlight Adventure zone, outdoor adventure play and sensory garden and café. 2. Comber Leisure Centre – Fitness class and courses 3. Portaferry sports Centre – indoor and outdoor sports 4. Queens Leisure complex – Fitness suite and workout classes. 5. Bangor Aurora – Three swimming pools and gym facilities.

12.4 Active Aging programme - the vision of the active aging programme is one of Northern Ireland being an age friendly region in which people, as they get older, are valued and supported to live actively to their fullest potential; with their rights respected and their dignity protected.

12.5 Ards and North Down Borough Council operate an ‘active ageing’ programme for adults aged 60+ at the leisure centres (also available in Bangor Aurora). This is a scheme funded by the Public Health Agency and the South Eastern and Social Care

Trust. The programme provides a range of low level activities to suit all fitness and ability levels. Classes across the Borough include but are not limited to: dance classes, badminton and swimming. Participants are encouraged to use the classes as an opportunity to socialise and not solely for the physical health benefits.

Emergency Service Provision in Ards and North Down Borough Council Area.

Fire and Rescue Stations

13.1 Seven Fire and Rescue Stations are in operation within the Borough (see Table 2 below) the distribution is shown on Map 7 overleaf.

Table 2: Addresses of Fire and Rescue Stations within the Borough

Name Address Town Bangor Fire 92 Newtownards Bangor Station Road Comber Fire Glen Link Comber Station Donaghadee Fire Union Street Donaghadee Station Ballywalter Fire 1 Stump Road Ballywalter Station Holywood Fire Sullivan Place Holywood Station Portaferry Fire Church Street Portaferry Station Newtownards 2C Portaferry Newtownards Fire Station Road

Source: Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service

Map 7: Distribution of Fire Stations within Ards and North Down

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)

13.2 The purpose of the PSNI is ‘to make Northern Ireland safer for everyone through professional, progressive policing. We achieve this goal through policing with the community. This proactive, community-driven approach sees the police and local community working together to identify and solve problems’.

13.3 Communities living in Ards & North Down District now have one Local Police Team, based in Newtownards Police Station, providing 24 hour cover to continue keeping local people safe right across the District. These officers are supported by a Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), based in Bangor Police Station. The NPT are mobile and deployed to areas to deal with critical issues.

13.4 Ards and North Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) focus on policing and community safety issues and aims to make the neighbourhoods safer. PCSP members include people representing local communities and groups and elected representatives.

Key Findings

14.1 The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.’ Our society is getting older, people are living longer, often with long term health conditions. This presents a challenge in terms of demands and pressure on health and social care services. People today want to lead full and productive lives, staying independent for longer. In line with wider societal changes we all expect improved access, choices and control when it comes to public services.

14.2 The aging population in the Borough will have implications in the delivery of health services such as hospitals and GP services, as well as the need for additional residential care homes and community facilities. This includes the impact of age related conditions such as dementia and associated challenges in relation to the design of developments and retro-fitting and adaptation of existing homes. Another key challenge is to ensure that all residents are able to access amenities including green space and nature within comfortable walking distance. This will also facilitate social interaction and avoid negative impacts of isolation and social exclusion.

14.3 The decline in the number of school age children will have ramifications on the need for additional education facilities and also the viability of the existing schools within the area. Childhood obesity rates are higher within Ards and North Down than across the whole of Northern Ireland based upon a three year rolling average.

14.4 Planning has a key role to play in shaping our environment and promoting positive behaviours to enhance people’s health and wellbeing and overall quality of life.

Conclusion

This paper has provided an overview of current education, healthcare and community services within Ards and North Down. The provision of health and education facilities within the Borough is the responsibility of Central Government. The Local Development Plan should endeavour to protect land identified by these bodies for health and education uses. The Local Development Plan preparation provides the Council with an opportunity to increase the physical and mental wellbeing of its residents through the formulation of appropriate land designations and planning policy, having regard to the Core Planning Principles and the Councils own Corporate Plan.

APPENDIX

Map 3: Housing designation NS 20 at Cronstown, Newtownards.

Enrolments and unfilled places in schools in the Ards and North Down Borough Council Area

School Unfilled School name type Enrolments Places Ballyvester Primary School Primary 116 0 Loughries Primary School Primary 75 32 Grey Abbey Primary School Primary 90 3 Carrickmannon Primary School Primary 101 4 Newtownards Model Primary School Primary 413 0 Kirkistown Primary School Primary 91 37 Castle Gardens Primary School Primary 235 198 Victoria Primary School, Ballyhalbert Primary 145 35 Portavogie Primary School Primary 253 13 Ballywalter Primary School Primary 169 32 Comber Primary School Primary 397 76 Holywood Primary School Primary 453 81 Crawfordsburn Primary School Primary 209 20 Victoria Primary School, Newtownards Primary 550 64 Ballyholme Primary School Primary 631 13 Donaghadee Primary School Primary 450 79 Clandeboye Primary School Primary 282 127 Millisle Primary School Primary 225 34 Bloomfield Primary School Primary 447 39 Grange Park Primary School Primary 409 0 Alexander Dickson Primary School Primary 92 57 Kilcooley Primary School Primary 180 55 Londonderry Primary School Primary 384 0 Carrowdore Primary School Primary 158 40 Rathmore Primary School Primary 638 0 West Winds Primary School Primary 181 86 Towerview Primary School Primary 411 3 Andrews Memorial Primary School Primary 338 33 Kilmaine Primary School Primary 674 4 Killinchy Primary School Primary 362 0 Abbey Primary School Primary 602 70 Ballymagee Primary School Primary 432 6 St Patrick's Primary School, Holywood Primary 291 35 St Mary's Primary School, Comber Primary 65 13 St Anne's Primary School, Donaghadee Primary 49 28 St Finian's Primary School Primary 146 90 St Patrick's Primary School, Portaferry Primary 121 10 St Comgall's Primary School, Bangor Primary 299 0 St Malachy's Primary School, Bangor Primary 407 88

St Mary's Primary School, Kircubbin Primary 152 145 St Mary's Primary School, Portaferry Primary 199 213 Kircubbin Integrated Primary School Primary 203 0 Portaferry Integrated Primary School Primary 57 52 Bangor Central Integrated Primary School Primary 602 22 Glencraig Integrated Primary School Primary 213 44 Bangor Central Nursery School Nursery 78 0 Holywood Nursery School Nursery 52 0 Newtownards Nursery School Nursery 52 0 Trinity Nursery School Nursery 52 0 Glenbrook Nursery School Nursery 52 0 Kircubbin Community Nursery School Nursery 52 0 Movilla High School Secondary 219 391 Nendrum College Secondary 414 3 Glastry College Secondary 630 0 Bangor Academy and 6th Form College Secondary 1438 0 St Columba's College Secondary 187 358 St Columbanus' College Secondary 617 0 Priory College Secondary 580 0 Strangford Integrated College Secondary 576 0 Special Killard House Special School Schools 191 * Special Clifton Special School Schools 154 * Special Lakewood Special School Schools 6 * Regent House Grammar School Grammar 1425 45 Glenlola Collegiate Grammar 1044 57 Bangor Grammar School Grammar 874 2 Sullivan Upper School Grammar 1077 0

Regent House Prep Dept prep dept 105 *

Glenlola Collegiate Prep Dept prep dept 9 *

Sullivan Upper School, Prep Dept prep dept 187 * Vol and priv Movilla Abbey Playgroup pre-school 26 * Vol and priv Hundred Acre Wood Playgroup pre-school 42 * Vol and priv Little Bunnies Playgroup pre-school 17 * Vol and priv The Playcentre at Manor Court pre-school 26 * Vol and priv Bangor West Nursery Playgroup pre-school 25 * 38

Vol and priv BoPeep Corner PreSchool Playgroup pre-school 24 * St Comgall's PreSchool Education Vol and priv Centre, Bangor pre-school 24 * Vol and priv Ballycrochan Playgroup pre-school 26 * Vol and priv Chuckles Playgroup pre-school 26 * Ballyholme Presbyterian Church Vol and priv Playgroup pre-school 26 * Vol and priv Tiddliwinks Playgroup pre-school 15 * Vol and priv Chirpy Chicks Playgroup pre-school 25 * Vol and priv Kilmood Playgroup pre-school 40 * Vol and priv Bees Nees Early Years Centre pre-school 26 * Vol and priv Little Doves Community Playgroup pre-school 26 * PlayAWay Childcare Centre, Vol and priv Newtownards pre-school 26 * Vol and priv Bangor Abbey PreSchool Centre pre-school 24 * Vol and priv Crawfordsburn Playgroup pre-school 27 * Vol and priv Tiggers Palace Day Nursery pre-school 26 * Vol and priv Groomsport Playgroup pre-school 37 * Vol and priv Jiminy Crickets PreSchool pre-school 14 * Little Acorns PreSchool Playgroup, Vol and priv Bangor pre-school 48 * Vol and priv Ballygowan Community Playgroup pre-school 24 * Vol and priv Early Days Playgroup, Bangor pre-school 24 * Vol and priv Glencraig Integrated Playgroup pre-school 23 * Vol and priv Portaferry Preschool Playgroup pre-school 11 * Vol and priv Carrowdore Early Years Centre pre-school 19 * Vol and priv Ballywalter PreSchool Unit pre-school 33 * Vol and priv St Finian's Playgroup pre-school 24 * Vol and priv Bright Sparks PreSchool, Bangor pre-school 30 *

Vol and priv Happy Feet Pre-school pre-school 24 * Vol and priv Right Rascals Day Nursery Unit pre-school 24 * Vol and priv Country Kids Day Nursery pre-school 30 * Vol and priv Little Bear's Day Nursery pre-school 20 * Vol and priv Big Red Balloon Day Nursery pre-school 14 * Vol and priv Cabbage Patch Day Nursery pre-school 40 * Independent Rockport School schools * * Holywood Rudolf Steiner Independent Independent School schools * * Independent Bangor Independent Christian School schools * * Independent Glencraig Curative School schools * *

Source: Department of Education statistics

Community Centres

Name Address Postcode Belfast Road, Ballygowan, Ballygowan Village Hall Newtownards BT23 6NA Cloughey Bowling and Tennis Pavilion 17 Main Road Cloughey BT22 1JA BT22 Carrowdore Community Centre 110 Main Street, Carrowdore 2HW Comber Adult Learning Centre 1 Park Way Comber BT23 5AR Conlig Community Centre 38 Main Street, Conlig BT23 7PT Donaghadee Community Centre Parade, Donaghadee BT21 0HG Glen Community Centre Glenard Road Newtownards BT23 7TX Green Road Community Centre 30 Breezemount Grove BT23 7TX Groomsport Boat House 19 Harbour Road, Groomsport BT19 6JP Hamilton Road Community Hub Bangor BT20 4LF Kilcooley Community Centre 50 Owenroe Drive, Bangor BT19 1QH Londondery Park Pavillion Portaferry Road, Newtownards BT23 8SG Kircubbin Community Centre 4 Church Grove, Kircubbin BT22 2SU Manor Court Community Centre Mill Street, Newtownards BT23 4LT Marquis Hall Castle Park, 5 Abbey Street, Bangor BT20 4JE Portaferry Market House The Square, Portaferry, Newtownards BT22 1LR Portavogie Community Centre 54 New Harbour Road, Portavogie BT22 1EB Queen's Hall West Street, Newtownards BT23 4EN Redburn Community Centre 1A Ardnagreena Gardens, Holywood BT18 9PD Skipperstone Community Centre 99A Skipperstone Road, Bangor BT20 4EU The Alderman George Green Community Centre 1 Rathgill Parade, Bangor BT19 7TZ West Winds Community Centre Dakota Avenue, Newtownards BT23 4QX

Private Care Home facilities within Ards and North Down Borough Council Area.

Name Address Abbey View Nursing Home 48 Newtownards Road, Bangor Ailsa Lodge Nursing Home 6 Killaire Avenue, Bangor Alpine House 20 Ballyholme Road, Bangor Ard Cuan 1 Demesne View, Portaferry, Newtownards Balloo House 40 Donaghadee Road, Groomsport, Bangor Ballymaconnell Nurning Home 48 Ballymaconnell Road, Bangor Bangor Care Home 27a Manor Avenue, West Circular Road, Bangor Barhall Home 15a Barrhall Road, Portaferry, Newtownards Beechvale Nursing Home 35 Beechvale Road, Killinchy, Newtownards

Beverly Lodge Nursing Home 186a Bangor Road, Newtownards Blair House 107 Dakota Avenue, Newtownards Bramblewood Care Home 201 Gransha Road, Bangor Bryansburn Care Home 100 Bryansburn Road, Bangor Carmen House 3 Carmen Lane, Nr Belfast Road, Bangor Carnalea Care Home 20-30 Crawfordsburn Road, Bangor Clandeboye Care Home 35 Cardy Close, Bangor Comber Care Home 17 Castle Street, Comber, Newtownards Cranley Lodge 5 Cranley Avenue, Bangor Croagh Patrick Care Home Miller Hill, 235 Millisle Road, Donaghadee Copeland Suite, 4 Sunnydale Avenue, Edgewater Lodge Care Home Donaghadee 17a New Harbour Road, Portavogie, Green Isle Newtownards Hawthorn Lodge 277 Killaughey Road, Donaghadee Holybank Manor 186a Bangor Road, Newtownards Holywood Care Home 221 Old Holywood Road, Holywood Kensington Residential Home 2 Groomsport Road, Bangor Kinglands Care Centre 252 Seacliffe Road, Bangor Movilla House 51 Movilla Road, Newtownards Mullaghboy 86 Warren Road, Donaghadee Oakmount Lodge Care Home 267-271 Old Belfast Road, Bangor Old Holywood Road Care Home 212 Old Holywood Road, Holywood Phoenix Clinic and Resource Centre Lansdowne Road, Newtownards Richmond Nursing Home 19 Seafront Road, Cultra, Holywood Rocky Acres 8 Portavogie Road, Ballyhalbert, Ballywalter Scrabo House 203 Scrabo Road, Newtownards Scrabo Isles 61 Manse Road, Newtownards Seaview House 276 Seacliff Road, Ballyholme, Bangor Stewart Lodge 1 Ballyharry Heights, Newtownards Summerhill 31 Upper Gransha Road, Bangor Source: www.carehome.co.uk

GP Practices located in Ards and North Down Borough Council 2017

PRIORY SURGERY 26 HIGH STREET HOLYWOOD BT18 9AD THE HEALTH CENTRE NEWTOWNARDS ROAD BANGOR BT20 4LD BT23 24 LISBARNETT ROAD LISBANE NEWTOWNARDS 6AW THE HEALTH CENTRE NEWTOWNARDS ROAD BANGOR BT20 4LD 140 GROOMSPORT ROAD BANGOR CO DOWN BT20 5PE THE SURGERY BROOK STREET HOLYWOOD BT18 9DA THE HEALTH CENTRE NEWTOWNARDS ROAD BANGOR BT20 4LD CUAN FAMILY PRACTICE 44 HIGH STREET PORTAFERRY BT22 1QT THE HEALTH CENTRE NEWTOWNARDS ROAD BANGOR BT20 4LD KILLYNETHER PRACTICE 2A FREDERICK STREET NEWTOWNARDS BT23 4LR DR ROBERT HENRY SURGERY 7A NEWTOWNARDS ROAD COMBER BT23 5AU SILVERBIRCH MEDICAL PRACTICE 39A SILVERBIRCH ROAD BANGOR BT19 6EU THE SURGERY 1 CHURCH STREET NEWTOWNARDS BT23 4FH THE HEALTH CENTRE 5 NEWTOWNARDS ROAD COMBER BT23 5BA OLD MILL SURGERY CHURCH STREET NEWTOWNARDS BT23 4AS 16 A THE SQUARE COMBER NEWTOWNARDS BT23 5DT THE HEALTH CENTRE 5 NEWTOWNARDS ROAD COMBER BT23 5BA BLOOMFIELD SURGERY 95 BLOOMFIELD ROAD BANGOR BT20 4XA REGENCY MEDICAL CENTRE 2A FREDERICK STREET NEWTOWNARDS BT23 4LR DONAGHADEE HEALTH CENTRE 3 KILLAUGHEY ROAD DONAGHADEE BT21 0BU THE SURGERY 1 CHURCH STREET NEWTOWNARDS BT23 4FH WINDMILL SURGERY 44 HIGH STREET PORTAFERRY BT22 1QT THE HEALTH CENTRE NEWTOWNARDS ROAD BANGOR BT20 4LD CLELAND PARK SURGERY 2 CLELAND PARK BANGOR BT20 3EB THE HEALTH CENTRE FOWLER WAY BALLYWALTER BT22 2PY LOUGH VIEW SURGERY 2 MAIN STREET KIRCUBBIN BT22 2SP THE SURGERY 1 CHURCH STREET NEWTOWNARDS BT23 4FH GREEN ROAD MEDICAL CENTRE 5 GREEN ROAD CONLIG BT23 7PZ

Source: NISRA

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Belfast Operations Centre- Bregenz House, Quay Street, Bangor, BT20 5ED Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Team- 1 Loughview Heights, Portaferry, BT22 1PS Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team- 92 Newtownards Road, Bangor, BT19 1SZ

RNLI Stations

Bangor Lifeboat Station- Seacliff Road, Bangor, BT20 5EY Donaghadee Lifeboat Station- 32 The Parade, Donaghadee, BT21 0DG Portaferry Lifeboat Station – 11A The Strand, Portaferry, BT22 1PF