THERE are currently no plans to demolish the remaining flats at Ross Street in west Belfast.
The flats have been described as a "magnet for anti-social behaviour" in the Lower Falls area, with communal hallways and open spaces between properties exploited by vandals and drug abusers.
Sinn Féin MLA Fra McCann has linked the ongoing problems to an incident in nearby Albert Street on Sunday night when a delivery driver was hospitalised after a brick was thrown at his car.
The lower Falls area has been plagued by anti-social behaviour in recent years, with drug taking, car crime and vandalism a regular concern.
Former republican prisoner Frank ‘Bap’ McGreevy died days after being brutally attacked in his Ross Street home in March 2008.
Last summer an elderly German tourist was robbed and assaulted close to the 'International Wall' at the junction of Albert Street and the Falls Road.
In October last year, Edward Gibson died after being shot in an alleyway near Divis Tower, shortly after a fight involving up to 30 people in Albert Street.
In 2011, the Department of Social Development (DSD) replaced part of the Ross Street site with 11 new family homes.
Michael Donnelly, from the Falls Community Council, said: "The new homes have transformed that area. A multi-agency approach is needed, but there is overwhelming community consensus for all these flats being demolished."
Vincent McElkerney, from the Falls Residents Association, said: "For some reason the department would not let all the flats be knocked down. We have managed to close off a lot of places where there were problems but this is one of the last areas that needs sorted."
Mr McCann said is confident that DSD minister Mervyn Storey will "take all that he saw on board" during a visit to the area this week.
He said: "They agreed to take the first batch of flats down after Bap McGreevy was murdered. I think they were forced and embarrassed into making a decision back then but the whole street should have come down.
"The Housing Executive has done some work and it has cost them a fortune with thugs continuing to damage and vandalise the area, but I would like to think that after this week’s meeting with the minister there is only one conclusion."
However, a DSD spokeswoman said last night the Housing Executive "currently has no plans to demolish Ross Street flats".
She said the department had invested in external security measures and a dedicated project worker for the area in attempts to address anti-social behaviour.
"The minister considers it appropriate to await the outcome of the ongoing consultation process taking place with local residents... before any further consideration is given to the future of the flats."
