Off-Street Car Parking Order

Four car parks, operated and managed by council, are not regulated by the current Off Street Parking Order (2000) NI (as amended). For administrative purposes they need to be officially included in the new Belfast Off-Street Car Parking Order. Two car parks listed in the 2000 Order are no longer within the council portfolio and need to be removed.

More information about these car parks can be found under our FAQs.

As part of the new Belfast Off-Street Parking Order, we want to introduce a mechanism  that enables the prompt closure of car parks under specific circumstances. Currently, we need to go through a legal Order to regulate or restrict the use of a designated parking place, including closing or suspending operations in part of a car park. This can be an arduous and time-consuming legal process. The proposed change will allow us to close the car parks temporarily, as necessitated for maintenance, council events or for carrying out alterations and development of the car parks, in a more efficient and timely manner. 

Currently. we are restricted with how the parking bays and parking places can be used. The existing legislation states that parking places are specifically used for parking, which means we often have to deny access to council services or other organisations who wish to use the car park for events. Council is seeking to introduce a mechanism whereby the parking bays and parking places may be used temporarily for activities other than parking. This will assist in facilitating wider council work and partnership activities.