AN agreement has been reached between a group of west Belfast residents and a local school which will allow work to begin on a new sports facility.
Work on the £1.6 million facility, which will include a 3G pitch, car park and pavilion at Glassmullin Green in Andersonstown, had been due to begin in August however was stopped when residents opposed to the plans formed a human chain to prevent contractors entering the site.
Earlier this month, a second attempt by contractors to move on to the site also failed.
The plans, which are being funded by Education NI on behalf of nearby De La Salle College would take up around half of the 5.2 acre green space.
Residents, who formed Friends of Glassmullin Open Green (FOGOG), have been opposing the development since 2013.
Members of the group had also taken to maintaining a constant presence on the site
However it was revealed yesterday that an agreement had been reached between the parties.
Amongst the terms of the agreement is a commitment that there will be no floodlights at the site and any fence at the facility will not exceed 2.4 metres.
In addition, there will not be any night-time or weekend use of the pitch.
Furthermore, it was agreed that no infrastructure will be put in place for the installation of floodlights at a later date.
A seven-person committee made up of school representatives, residents, and an independent chair will now be appointed to manage the facility.
Residents Martin Derby and Anthony Marron, said a "cohesive proposal that benefits all parties involved" had been agreed.
Claire White, principal of De La Salle College, said the facility would provide "much needed sports amenities for the pupils of De La Salle College as well as for young people within the community".
