Asbestos bonfire site in south Belfast to be ‘secured' and cleared out
The controversial site at Meridi Street/Maldon Street in the Village area is to be the subject of a legal undertaking by Belfast City Council to secure part of the site for removal of the asbestos.
The site is at the old Ulster Weavers factory location, an area that has long been derelict. It is not clear whether or not the bonfire in the area will go ahead this summer.
At a secret meeting of a Belfast Council Committee, held away from the public and press, elected members agreed to take legal action to assure safety at the site, which is privately owned.
Minutes released of a special meeting of the council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on May 30 states: 'The committee was informed that the Bonfire Panel had requested that the site located at Meridi Street, Belfast be referred to the committee for its consideration.
'After discussion, the committee agreed to delegate authority to officers to undertake legal action and the necessary steps to secure the site. The committee also noted that further information would be submitted to a special Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, if required.'
The council abatement notice will be issued under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (NI) 2011.
A bonfire was in the process of being constructed at the site in recent weeks.
Certain exposed asbestos materials can break and explode in proximity to fire.
All asbestos fibres are deemed to be carcinogenic category one, and cause severe damage when inhaled into the lungs.
Belfast Council said in a statement: 'Belfast City Council previously took enforcement action at this site in 2011 due to the presence of high-risk asbestos-containing materials which were being disturbed due to demolition works.
'When the then owners failed to take action to deal with those materials, the council undertook significant works and the site was secured.
'When this work was completed, officers were satisfied that the site did not pose any risk to people living or working in the area, but were clear that we could not state there was no contamination left at the site.
'Council became aware of a further issue at this site last month and has been engaging with the landowner to ensure that suspected asbestos containing materials were adequately secured.
'The current landowner has put temporary measures in place to fence off the materials. Council has also served an abatement notice on the landowner requiring them to secure and contain the materials.
News Catch Up - Monday 2nd June
'The Northern Ireland Environment Agency is currently undertaking an enforcement investigation, as they are the lead enforcement authority in relation to this issue.
'The council continues to engage with NIEA and the landowner to ensure that the materials are removed as soon as possible. Elected members have also agreed that this may include pursuing legal action against the NIEA and/or the landowner, if the necessary steps are not taken to remove the materials and secure the wider site.
'Council officers are also continuing to liaise with the local community to ensure that these materials remain fenced off.'
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