MORE than 100 loyalist bonfires are being built annually on Housing Executive land without permission.
The social housing body has revealed that last July there were 113 unauthorised pyres erected on its land.
Despite the lack of landowner permission, many bonfire groups receive thousands of pounds in council funding for related community events over the Twelfth.
A list of the unauthorised bonfires on Housing Executive (NIHE) land was disclosed to The Irish News in response to a freedom of information request.
In total 140 pyres were erected last year, including eight in August and 19 in October. NIHE said none had permission to be built on its land.
They included a loyalist bonfire that gutted several houses in west Belfast's lower Shankill area.
A row of terraced houses at Hopewell Square were damaged last July due to embers from the nearby Eleventh Night bonfire.
Families had to be rescued and the repair bill for the NIHE properties was £90,000.
Those involved with the pyre had signed up to Belfast City Council's bonfire programme, which offers groups up to £1,500 for related Twelfth events.
The group linked to the Hopewell bonfire last year received around £1,000 through the council initiative, which aims to encourage community safety and reduce environmental issues.
Four of the north's 11 councils confirmed they offer funding to bonfire groups for related community events, usually in exchange for addressing environmental issues such as not using tyres.
Overall the schemes – operated by Antrim and Newtownabbey, Ards and North Down, Belfast, and Mid and East Antrim councils – last year awarded more than £80,000.
Belfast City Council said its scheme aims to "promote positive cultural expression and better bonfire management".
A spokeswoman said: "Groups do not seek permission nor do we grant permission for bonfires on any sites.
"The programme aims to engage with groups to promote positive cultural expression and better bonfire management.
"Final awards for the programme have not yet been signed off. We are still processing paperwork to verify claims."
Ards and North Down council said its programme supports events associated with bonfires in July and October, and is part-funded through the local Councils Good Relations Programme by the Executive Office and NIHE.
A spokeswoman said the scheme encourages "more environmentally friendly bonfire alternatives" such as willow burners and gas beacons.
Mid and East Antrim council said its grants scheme is for July and August events.
It said: "In areas where the festival is linked to the burning of a bonfire, organisers are requested to ensure that no tyres are used and should endeavour to discourage sectarian or racist graffiti or the flying of flags or emblems or the burning of election posters at their bonfire site.
"No funding can be used for any costs associated to the actual bonfire, i.e. pallets."
NIHE said: "We fully support local councils in their bonfire management programmes as they aim to assist cultural expression to be inclusive, family friendly and environmentally friendly.
"We recognise that bonfires are traditional events and we work with and support communities to embrace cultural celebrations in a way that is non-threatening."
It added: "The Housing Executive does not give formal permission for bonfires to be built on its land and will continue to do all we can to assist our communities to move forward in a constructive way."
