Residents of an apartment block across the road from an east Belfast bonfire are living with their windows boarded up to protect their homes from potential attacks - until after the Twelfth at least.
Almost all the windows in the block, along with the main door, are boarded up following consultation with the residents.
The Choice housing association homes on London Road have been targeted a number of times, including having their windows broken.
On one occasion last year several windows were smashed in an attack which police described as criminal damage. It was not described as a hate or sectarian incident.
The apartment block is directly opposite several acres of vacant land, the site of an annual bonfire. It is a magnet for youths from the area.
For several days recently, a pile of debris that had spilled out of the site was lying on the road. The debris was pushed back on to the site earlier this week.
Heavy black smoke from a tyre fire billowed from the site on Thursday evening.
It may be the last year the acreage is used for a bonfire as the process of applying permission for housing is at an advanced stage.
“Having consulted with tenants, we have taken the precautionary step of shuttering the windows and doors to protect them from further vandalism,” a Choice spokesperson said.
“We will keep the situation under review and will remove the shutters when appropriate. This will not be before bonfire night on July 11.
They added: “The safety of our tenants and the wider community is of paramount importance to us and Choice is committed to providing secure, quality housing to meet the needs of our tenants.
“We continue to engage with Belfast City Council, statutory agencies and the local community to address any issues and to safeguard our tenants at our apartments on London Road.
“Choice continues to engage with the wider local community and statutory agencies in the area and we will continue to liaise with tenants to address any issues or concerns they have.”
DLL Properties has applied for planning permission to built 115 apartments and duplexes, including 27 social housing units. Also planned is amenity space, landscaping and parking provision.
James Pillon, of DLL Properties, said the company still planned the build but the planning process is continuing so there is no date for when work might start.
Mr Pillon acknowledged there are difficult issues around the site, including anti-social behaviour and its associated problems.
