Northern Ireland

Bonfire site in south Belfast used for fly tipping as furniture and debris spills on to road

Milltown Hill bonfire site near Belvoir
Milltown Hill bonfire site near Belvoir

A bonfire site in south Belfast is being used to fly tip rubbish, including old furniture, building rubble and even scrap metal.

The bonfire site on the main A55 ring road was described as unsuitable, unsightly and potentially dangerous with debris and rubbish spilling on to the road.

Milltown Hill bonfire site
Milltown Hill bonfire site

Fires have already been started at the site, which for months has resembled a dump site, said local SDLP Councillor Donal Lyons.

Mr Lyons, who represents the Balmoral area, said complaints have been voiced about the bonfire for several years but with nothing resolved.

Councillor Donal Lyons
Councillor Donal Lyons

He believes a beacon, a controlled bonfire put in position in the days leading up to July 12, would be more suitable and allow people to celebrate their traditions in a safer manner.

Mr Lyons said damage has already been caused this year to the main road. He added the bonfire was previously within the Belvoir estate but it was removed as residents did not want it sited close to their homes.

Bonfire site on A55 ring road
Bonfire site on A55 ring road

But the site at the bottom of Milltown Hill is still close to homes and to woodland, the councillor added.

Read more

  • What are eleventh night bonfires?
  • What is the Twelfth of July?

“Previous efforts were made to resolve the issue of the bonfire but it was a slow process and did not work,” Mr Lyons said.

The councillor said he would be advocating moving towards placing a beacon on the site so that the space is not filled with rubbish and a hazard for three months ahead of the Twelfth.

Bonfire site used by fly tippers
Bonfire site used by fly tippers

“This has worked in other parts of the  city.”

A number of individuals have used the city to fly tip furniture, building rubble and scrap metal. Belfast City Council is understood to be pursuing an individual in connection with alleged fly tipping.