If you operate a sports ground - which is not designated as requiring a safety certificate - you will still require a safety certificate for any stand that holds 500 or more spectators.
Apply for a safety certificate for sports stands
A safety certificate may be either:
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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.
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Or 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. Certificates are obtained from your local district council. You must comply with any conditions attached to a certificate.
There is a fee of £50 to obtain such a certificate. There is a fee of £25 to amend, replace or transfer the 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: The Safety of Sports Grounds (NI) Order 2006
Application Evaluation Process:
Applicants must provide requested information and plans to the council within the time specified.
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.
When a council receives an application for a general safety certificate for a regulated stand at a sports ground they must determine if the stand is a regulated stand and if it is, if the applicant is the person who qualifies for the issue of the certificate. If they have already determined that the stand is a regulated stand and have not revoked this decision, they must 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.
The council must send a copy of an application for a safety certificate to the Chief Constable and the Fire and Rescue Service Board for the area. Each of these bodies must be consulted about the terms and conditions to be included in a certificate.
If an application is made to transfer a certificate the council must decide 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 the application to the Chief Constable and the Fire and Rescue Service Board of the area and shall consult them about any proposed amendment, replacement or transfer.
Will Tacit Consent Apply?
No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact us.
Failed Application Redress:
Please contact Mid Ulster District Council in the first instance.
Any applicant who is refused a safety certificate because they are not considered to be an eligible person can appeal to the Magistrates court.
An applicant who is refused a special safety certificate may also appeal to the Magistrate's court against a refusal of his application based on grounds other than a decision that they are not an eligible person.
Licence Holder Redress:
Please contact Mid Ulster District Council in the first instance.
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 Magistrates court. They may also appeal to the county court against an order of the Magistrate's court.
Consumer Complaint:
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We would always advise that in the event of a complaint, the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form of a letter (with proof of delivery).
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If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Other Redress: Any person who is served with a notice determining that a sports stand is a regulated sports stand may appeal to the local Magistrates' court.
Any person concerned in ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of the safety certificate may appeal to the Magistrate's court against any condition attached to, or the omission of anything from, a safety certificate, or against the refusal to amend or replace a safety certificate.
Trade Associations: None.