Northern Ireland

Fears north Belfast bonfire will be built close to homes

Wooden pallets stacked near homes on the Tyndale estate in north Belfast.
Wooden pallets stacked near homes on the Tyndale estate in north Belfast. Wooden pallets stacked near homes on the Tyndale estate in north Belfast.

RESIDENTS in north Belfast have voiced concerns about plans to build a bonfire near homes.

The bonfire in the Tyndale area was traditionally built on an area of waste ground that has since been redeveloped.

Material including several dozen wooden pallets has been gathered at the side of a house.

Local people say they believe the intention is to drag the material into the centre of a road on the Eleventh night.

This would block some residents' access and also see the pyre built dangerously close to homes.

Residents of the mainly loyalist area say they have no issue with having a bonfire, just the planned location.

The Housing Executive said it does "not give approval for bonfires on our land".

"We are one of many public bodies where bonfires are located on land without permission.

"When we have community support and feel it is safe for our staff and contractors to do so, we remove materials.

"If we do not have this support we will closely monitor the situation and attempt to reduce the risk of negative impact.

"At this location, we are currently engaged with local representatives to reduce the impact of any bonfire on this site."