Sports Ground Safety Certificate


Licence summary

If you operate a sports ground in Northern Ireland that holds more than 5,000 spectators, you may be required to hold a safety certificate.

A safety certificate may be either:

  • a general safety certificate issued for the use of a sports ground for a specified activity, or activities, during an indefinite period
  • a special safety certificate for the use of a sports ground for a specified activity or activities on a specified occasion or occasions

Safety certificates are obtained from your local district council.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a general safety certificate, you must be likely to be in a position to prevent contravention of the terms and conditions of a certificate.

Regulation Summary

The Safety of Sports Grounds (NI) Order 2006

Application Evaluation

Applicants must provide requested information and plans to the local district council within the time specified.

A council will determine if the applicant is a person likely to be in position to prevent breach of the terms and conditions of a certificate.

A copy of the application will be sent to the local Chief Constable and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and they will be consulted on the terms and conditions to be included in the certificate.

If an application is made to transfer a certificate the council must determine 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 must send a copy of a transfer application to the Chief Constable and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. They shall consult them about any proposed amendment, replacement or transfer.
There is an application fee of £100 for a sports ground safety certificate. 
Should you wish to apply to change an existing certificate the fee will be £50.

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 it. You can do this by using the contact details below.

Apply Online

Apply for a Sports Ground Safety Certificate
Tell us about a change to your existing circumstances
 

Forms to download, print and post

Application for a Sports Ground General Safety Cert DCC5
Replacement Safety Cert DCC6
Application for an Amended Safety Cert; DCC 7
Application for Transfer of a Safety Cert DCC8

Licence Holder Redress

Please contact Derry City Council's Corporate Services Directorate, Council Offices, 98 Strand Road, Derry, Tel: 028 71365151 Fax: 028 71368536 email: [email protected]

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.

Failed Application Redress

Please contact Derry City Council's Corporate Services Directorate, Council Offices, 98 Strand Road, Derry, Tel: 028 71365151 Fax: 028 71368536 email: [email protected]

Any applicant who is refused a general 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 Magistrates court against a refusal of his application based on grounds other than a decision that they are not an eligible person.

Consumer Complaint

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the operator by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Advice Guide will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre

Other Redress

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