Northern Ireland

De La Salle College proposes mediation in greenspace row

Protesters are occupying the site of a planned sporting facility at Glassmullin Green in west Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell
Protesters are occupying the site of a planned sporting facility at Glassmullin Green in west Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell Protesters are occupying the site of a planned sporting facility at Glassmullin Green in west Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell

A SCHOOL at the centre of a protest over the building of a new sports facility on green space in west Belfast has said an independent intermediary could be appointed to help resolve the row.

Protesters have occupied the site at Glassmullin Green in Andersonstown for days and are vowing to stay until a dispute over plans to build the sports complex is resolved.

De La Salle College wants to build a 3G pitch, car park and pavilion on around half of the site.

Work on the project was due to begin on August 19 but the contractor left the green following a stand-off with protesters.

People opposed to the development have said the project will rob them of one of the last remaining green spaces in the area and have raised concerns about a possible increase in traffic and light pollution from the pitch.

Some residents have been campaigning against the project for the past six years.

Martin Derby (69), who has lived in the area since 1954, said the development will leave residents with a very small green space and some connecting paths.

"All we want to do is protect the environment," he said.

"You see oyster catchers flying down on the grass. If the pitch goes up they won't be there any more."

He said protesters are concerned that the green will be lost for future generations.

"We're all for the boys (at De La Salle)," he said. "We're not against them at all but there are other pitches in the area that the school could use.

"This isn't even a full-size 3G pitch so it won't be used for competitive matches.

"Once this green space is gone, it's gone."

He said protesters are also unhappy that trees will be planted in the remaining green space because some residents had fought for previous trees to be removed, citing concerns that people were lighting fires under them and engaging in anti-social behaviour.

The land is owned by Belfast City Council, which has an agreement with St MacNissi’s Education Trust for work to be carried out the site.

"On satisfactory completion of the works the council will enter into a sub-lease with St MacNissi’s Education Trust," a council spokesman said.

In a statement, De La Salle's board of governors said the planned sporting facility "will be available to the whole community from next summer".

"There has been considerable consultation and the plans have been modified three times to provide a balanced range of facilities which will benefit the whole community and the boys of De La Salle on a not for profit basis," the statement read.

The board said that an independent intermediary could be appointed to help reach a solution to the stand-off.

"The school would greatly welcome ongoing engagement with all residents and groups with an interest in the development; some have already indicated their desire to participate," he said.

"We do however want to engage a wide cross section of residents, including those opposed to the plans.

"With that in mind, the school would like to explore the possibility of that dialogue being managed by an agreed and independent person.

"Such a process could be organised reasonably quickly and with cooperation and goodwill it is to be hoped this could lead to a mutually agreed way forward that recognises the rights and needs of the community and the boys attending De La Salle."