Annual Report

April 2010 to March 2011

COMPANY INFORMATION Directors I Adamson W Andrews G Best J Blaney C Calvert G Campbell J Crilly M Dobson T Enright C Hamill N Kelly D Kinahan - Co-opted I McDougall J McMullan – Co-opted (Treasurer) T Russell I Simpson Independent Chair D O’Connor Company Secretary J Bradley Company Number NI053189 Charity Ref no XR70288 Auditors FGS McClure Watters Thomas House 14-16 James St South Belfast BT2 0HW Bankers First Trust Bank 2/4 Finaghy Road North Belfast BT10 0JA Solicitors Cleaver Fulton Rankin 50 Bedford Street Belfast BT2 7FW

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT It is my pleasure to report to you on progress made in the year 2010 to 2011, a year which has been dominated by two very separate changes in our funding. Firstly, we were one of the first organisations to have our core funding cut, which has had a major effect on our core work. As an already slim organisation this has meant reductions in staff resources and projects timed for 2010-2011 in our Business Plan. To address this, we have had to look again at alternative sources of funding to plug the gap, such as running European Workshops, flag days in Belfast or expanding our Friends of the Belfast Hills support scheme. We have also applied to a number of Trust funds for direct support for our core work but this has proved difficult at a time when so many other organisations are trying to do the same. The second has been the success of our bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) Landscape Partnership Scheme early in the year, which promises to bring us up to 4 new staff to carry out the project phase in 2012-2016. To achieve this and unlock £1.2 million of funding from HLF, we have been carrying out the Stage 1 development phase. During this we have put in place a member of staff to draw up the detailed plans and secure match funding for the 30 plus projects which will make up the Belfast Hills Landscape Partnership Scheme. These projects come under four main headings of Heritage Conservation, Access, Involving Communities and Training & Skills. As you can imagine, this fantastic opportunity has meant that many existing and potential partner organisations and community groups have been engaged with us in developing the specific details of possible projects and match funding. This has brought us into promising new areas of work such as built heritage and active site restoration, all keeping within our remit of seeking to manage the Belfast Hills in better ways. While these momentous funding changes have been happening, we have been

working away at a wide range of planning issues including the rising number of applications for wind turbines in the hills. As a broad partnership, we take a balanced view of supporting the push for renewable energy while emphasising the need for infrastructure to be put in the right place. Our hills faced a major and concerted outbreak of wildfires in the dry early summer of 2010. As well as mapping the extent of this damage, we have worked in partnership with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service as they in turn faced an unprecedented wave of wildfires throughout Northern Ireland. This issue will continue to demand attention from all of us for many summers to come. Other key work has been our ongoing awareness raising through events and talks and the conclusion of our successful invasive species project along the Colin river which we hope to expand in our Landscape Partnership Scheme work. Our public site partners have also expanded on their facilities for visitors such as the Barn Café at Divis and the new interpretation panels at Cave Hill, a reflection of the growing numbers of people using the hills. At a time of major change and with another cut in funding planned for 2011-2012, we face the challenge of building on our past successes with less core resources but potentially more funding for projects. Our main tasks are to keep hold of our strengths, our committed staff and the momentum of good will we have built up towards the hills, to maximise the impact of the HLF funding and to plan for our sustainability during and after this major scheme, for the betterment of the Belfast Hills, its people and wildlife. Finally, I would like to extend our thanks to the Board, all the partners and volunteers and of course the staff who have continued to deliver real progress in difficult circumstances. I commend this report to the meeting Danny O’Connor

PARTNERSHIP MANAGER’S REPORT In addition to the continuing work of our partners in the Belfast Hills, we have achieved a range of targets specified in our 2010-2013 Business Plan. The securing of a Heritage Lottery Fund Landscape Partnership Scheme Award should herald a major step up to achieving many positive changes for the Belfast Hills and the Partnership. Some targets which had been initially planned for 2010-11 have been deferred to be included within the Belfast Hills Landscape Partnership Scheme (LPS) scheduled to begin in 2012. Environmental Work 2010 saw the completion of a three year Colin Glen Invasive Species Project, in which we took a whole river system approach to the control of two invasive plant species having serious negative effects on the local environment, namely Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam. The distribution of both species was mapped right from the feeder streams down to the Lagan, followed by control through volunteer hand pulling of Himalayan Balsam and spraying of Japanese Knotweed sites from the top of the river down as far as possible. This quickly led to a substantial decrease in area and density of both species. We will be mapping distribution in 2011 to assess next steps within the LPS project in 2012-2016. We had some of the most extensive and damaging wildfires in the Belfast Hills for some years in late spring 2010. We continued our fire mapping and close liaison with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, contributing to their initial steps towards a Northern Ireland Strategic Wildfire Forum. We also

contributed to press coverage and public discussion of this vital issue. In conjunction with Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland we held butterfly survey training for volunteers, two of whom we recruited to carry out our Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey. We intend to repeat this for some years as part of a national survey of common butterflies. Community Sector Work Our series of events proved more popular than ever and we have now built up a following of many regular visitors. Out of these we recruited close to 60 ‘Friends of the Belfast Hills’ who support the work of the Partnership financially as well as providing vital feedback and suggestions for the hills.

Partnership staff became very actively involved in key community planning and consultation exercises such as the Shankill Greenway and Hannahstown Village Renewal proposals. There were a range of other local community projects concerning open space, allotments, access and youth diversion with which the Partnership had active input. Our Recreation Development Plan was finalised in early 2010 and has proved to be a key tool for involving new potential partners in our LPS proposals.

We received European funding to hold a major Grundtvig Walking and Wildlife Workshop in September, in which we introduced the Belfast Hills to participants from countries such as Spain, Italy, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania and Finland. The feedback from this strengthened our belief that walking in the hills is a unique resource to offer visitors to Belfast. Another key aspect of community involvement is the deployment of volunteers. We have received volunteer assistance with our biodiversity, fund raising, heritage research and office work but have received more requests than we have resources to handle. Proposals to have a dedicated Volunteer Officer within the LPS should address this. Finally, we have made substantial strides in engaging community groups and individuals through community questionnaires, e-newsletters, press work and development of our website, Facebook sites and Twitter. Commercial Sector Work We made responses and representations regarding a range of planning proposals and issues. These have been characterised by a decrease in general numbers of planning applications but an increase in wind turbine and waste transfer station proposals.

Despite decreasing staff resources we contributed to three major consultation exercises relevant to the Belfast Hills, namely the Northern Ireland Tourist Board Strategy and Belfast City Council’s Strategic Tourism Framework, plus a response to proposals for the Floral Hall at Bellevue. Corporate Work The year was dominated by the decrease in core funding which restricted our staff resources and capacity. This has led us to take a fresh approach to raising our own funds through flag days, sponsored walks, the Friends of the Belfast Hills and the Grundtvig Workshop. This difficult situation has been balanced by the success of our bid for the LPS project, which meant we could take on a new staff post to carry out the preparatory Stage 1 of the project. A very wide range of work has been carried out within this in terms of consulting with existing and new partners, commercial, community, farming and statutory. This work promises to be a solid base for substantial expansion of project and resources in 2012. Jim Bradley Partnership Manager

BELFAST HILLS PARTNERSHIP 2011-2012 WORK PLAN Introduction The coming year is a momentous one for the Partnership, during which it will emerge whether we have managed to secure Stage 2 of our Landscape Partnership Scheme. The following list of projects includes those which are proposed as part of the Scheme itself to begin early 2012. In 2011-2012 we will:- BIODIVERSITY 1. Begin wet grassland surveys with an emphasis on butterfly and moth populations 2. Assist with newt survey work on selected sites as part of a UK wide Newt survey 3. Repeat our NI Countryside Butterfly Survey work 4. Continue to carry out invasive species mapping and control along the Colin Glen River. Invasive species mapping will be widened to include sites such as Carnmoney Hill. 5. Research and initiate a River Awareness Project. LANDSCAPE & HERITAGE 1. Produce a comprehensive Belfast Hills Landscape Character Action Plan. 2. Complete Stage 1 of the Landscape Partnership Scheme. This will involve submitting a Stage 2 funding application to Heritage Lottery Fund within which a comprehensive 4 year work Plan will be drawn up. 3. Begin a Belfast Hills Heritage Project including improvements for paths to key heritage sites and oral history work. ACCESS AND RECREATION 1. Execute our Recreation Development Plan in collaboration with key partners. 2. Compile an Access Development Plan identifying the priority and strategic access routes, existing and potential, into and across the Belfast Hills.

3. Provide walking maps and guides, other recreational guides and internet information to increase public awareness of the Belfast Hills. 4. Continue to publicise use of the hills for healthy walking via Healthy Walk leaders training, familiarisation trips and liaison events. TOURISM 1. Work with partners to secure RDP funding to carry out a Belfast Hills Sustainable Rural Tourism Project which will improve facilities, interpretation and information provision. 2. Assist partners to install and improve visitor survey systems. 3. Build relationships with key tourism staff and other bodies to strengthen the recognition of the Belfast Hills as an important element of the local tourism product. 4. Actively seek and promote an Approved Guides List for the Belfast Hills. SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 1. Publicise, encourage and provide advice on RDP funding. 2. Continue our audit of small businesses in the Belfast Hills. 3. Work with NIEA to reduce illegal landfilling in the Belfast Hills. 4. Monitor and report flytipping. 5. Work with farmers to undertake practical biodiversity improvements. 6. Carry out Japanese Larch surveys for signs of Phytophora infestation. 7. Research a geodiversity Hills Rock Project as part of LPS. 8. Encourage sensitive quarry restoration where appropriate in conjunction with QPANI’s biodiversity officer. PLANNING AND CONSULTATIONS 1. Continue to respond to relevant planning applications, consultations and Planning Appeals. 2. Encourage developers to discuss projects with BHP staff pre-application.

COMMUNITY & QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES 1. Continue to support and advise local community groups on site development and management such as allotments, recreation and open space sites. 2. Expand our events programmes substantially. 3. Continue to lobby for improved public transport throughout the Belfast Hills. 4. Develop a Hills Apprentice Project to allow engagement with young people about the hills. 5. Continue to lobby for an improvement to the roads system and seek commercial traffic management systems for all major new developments. 6. Involve people with a local oral history project. CORPORATE 1. Review our Operational Area within LPS. 2. Investigate alternative sources of income such as Grundtvig programmes, sponsorship of Newsletters and Events. 3. Encourage more people to be involved through volunteering and our Friends Group 4. Continually identify and research best practice, innovation in information provision and awareness raising. 5. Encourage research projects to be carried out in the Belfast Hills. 6. Subject to successful Stage 2 LPS bid, expand our staff team to include new Project staff plus Community Outreach and Volunteer Officers.

BELFAST HILLS PARTNERSHIP INCOME & EXPENDITURE 2010-2011 2011 2010 £ £

GROSS INCOME 163,362 142,878

GROSS EXPENDITURE 146,946 142,889

SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) 16,416 (11)

YEAR END RESERVES 58,846 42,430

This summary is based on the External Audit Report for 2010-2011 carried out by FGS McClure Watters. (See full Audit Accounts for details).

PARTNERSHIP STAFF & DIRECTORS

Staff Dr Jim Bradley Partnership Manager Dr Lizzy Pinkerton LPS Development Manager

Andrea McKernon Communication and Information Officer (PT)

Claire Martin Admin Officer Post (PT) Rose Muir Hills Partnership Officer (PT) Ruby Kirkland Volunteer Admin Assistant

Independent Chair

Danny O’Connor Directors The Directors on the Board and the bodies to which they belong are as follows: COMMUNITIES / USERS Communities

Bill Andrews – Shankill Communities Jim Blaney - Glen Road Environmental Action Group

Local Conservation Groups Terry Enright - Black Mountain Environment Group Cormac Hamill - Cave Hill Conservation Campaign Recreation Groups Ian McDougall – Northern Ireland Sports Forum

LANDOWNING / MANAGING Farmers

George Campbell - Ulster Farmers Union Ian Simpson - Ulster Farmers Union Local Economic Tracy Russell - Belfast Hills Waste Management

Operators Quarries Gordon Best - NI Quarry Products Association Nature Conservation Mike Dobson - The National Trust

STATUTORY

Cllr. Neil Kelly - Antrim Borough Council Cllr. Ian Adamson - Belfast City Council Alderman Cecil Calvert - Lisburn City Council Cllr. Janet Crilly - Newtownabbey Borough Council

Treasurer

John McMullan (Co-opted Director)

BHP MISSION & OBJECTIVES

The mission for the Belfast Hills Partnership is to Provide a practical and integrated management

mechanism for the Belfast Hills thereby contributing to the conservation, protection and enhancement of its natural, built and cultural heritage and providing for responsible countryside enjoyment.

Contribute to the quality of life of communities on the fringes of the Belfast Hills, rural residents of the area and to the wider urban & rural environment.

Work in partnership with others towards the realisation of the Belfast Hills vision, within a Belfast Hills Sustainable Development Initiative.

Core funded by: Antrim Borough Council Belfast City Council Northern Ireland Environment Agency (Department of the Environment) Lisburn City Council Newtownabbey Borough Council

The strategic aims of the Partnership are to

Conserve, protect and enhance the natural, cultural and built heritage of the Belfast Hills.

Encourage individuals, communities and organisations to care for the Belfast Hills.

Raise awareness of the value of the Belfast Hills and of issues relating to their protection.

Manage existing recreational use of the Belfast Hills.

Support and assist farmers and landowners under pressure from urban development, and from inappropriate forms of countryside recreation.

Contribute to the economic regeneration of communities in the Belfast Hills and adjoining city.

Contribute to a positive image of Belfast, Lisburn, Newtownabbey and Antrim through an attractive, well managed and functioning visual backdrop to these areas.

9 Social Economy Village, Hannahstown Hill, Belfast BT17 0XS Tel: (028) 90603466 Fax: (028) 90309867 Email: info@belfasthills.org www.belfasthills.org

Has been kindly supported in 2010-2011 by: