A FLAGS protocol for the Ballynafeigh area of south Belfast has been agreed between loyalists and DUP MLA Christopher Stalford who said he hoped the move would help "improve community relations".
There have been issues over paramilitary flags linked to the UDA being placed along the mainly mixed area of south Belfast over the last number of years.
Mr Stalford said the new initiative was a "positive step" and would limit the time flags were displayed and would ensure no paramilitary flags would be placed in the area.
Under the protocol flags will go up in June and be removed in mid September with only Union and Northern Ireland flags on lampposts in the Ormeau area.
It follows a similar flags protocol for east Belfast which was announced through a community group with links to the UVF who had been working with DUP MP Emma Little Pengelly on the strategy.
However despite the protocol Union and Northern Ireland flags have since appeared on Ravenhill Avenue ahead of the June 1 deadline.
Mr Stalford said he had met those behind the Ballynafeigh initiative and "convinced that they are about the work of trying to improve community relations in the Ballynafeigh area".
"It is in everyone's interests for issues around identity and culture to be addressed in a spirit of neighbourliness and respect," he said.
"I acknowledge that this flag protocol relating to the Ormeau Road is a positive step in creating that environment in Ballynafeigh and welcome those involved for their efforts.
"I hope that the terms of the protocol will be adhered to and that people can enjoy the expression of their identity in a peaceable way.
"I believe it is a good model that will hopefully expand beyond the Ormeau Road. I acknowledge that for some people this protocol may not go far enough but I hope that it will be seen as an attempt to address an issue that was causing concern last year."
Alliance Party councillor Emmet McDonough Brown however said the deal had been reached without any consultation with residents.
Describing it as a "slap in the face to Ormeau residents" he said it did "nothing to build community in our shared space".
"Public property must be defended as shared space and no-one has the right to appoint themselves to decide who flies what on lampposts.
"The community who will be impacted by this 'protocol' has not been consulted, as far as I know, and they will be outraged to learn that political support is being given for three months of flag flying along an arterial route", he added.
