Holyland residents’ fury at crackdown powers refusal
Situation is life-threatening and Stormont needs to change the law now, they demand
RESIDENTS in Belfast’s Holyland area have voiced their anger after it emerged that the city council requested powers from Stormont to deal with anti-social behaviour in the area six months ago — but was blocked.
The Belfast Telegraph revealed yesterday that the council wanted powers to designate specific areas for tightened restrictions, such as around gatherings and street drinking.
These proposals were turned down, however, with the Department for Communities (DFC) stressing any legislative powers “would be for the longer term”.
With St Patrick’s Day being celebrated today, residents in the Holyland are fearing the worst, while police have said they will deploy extra officers to break-up student house parties.
Brid Ruddy, chair of the College Park Avenue Residents’ Association, said residents in the area feel like “pawns in a game”.
“Six months ago we were writing to Stormont, telling them about ongoing house parties, super-spreader events, and we were getting no response,” she said.
“Then we learn that this is going on in the background, it’s just not good enough. We’re angry. We have the council’s safer neighbourhood officers, who are only able to advise really, so when things kick off, they can do nothing. Why should they not have more powers?
“This is what we’ve been asking for. This is a dangerous situation, it’s a life-threatening situation. Stormont has said they need to take time to develop the legislation. Well they are a legislative body — this is an emergency, and they need to legislate now.
“We need action. In this area, every year, we have lots of police on the streets — it’s like an armed camp. We’re expecting people to arrive in bus loads tomorrow, it’s ridiculous and needs addressed.”
Last September, council officials proposed Belfast City Council (BCC) officers or ‘constables’ be given more powers to tackle the problems, including powers allowing them to enter properties, hand out fines, and to direct people to return to their residences.
Proposals would see certain restrictions applied to designated areas — which could be a street, streets or a specific place — including on outdoor congregations likely to be in breach of Covid rules and gatherings involving mixing of households, according to correspondence from BCC officials to DFC.
But DFC blocked the proposals, saying it was not a short-term solution.
An email from a DFC official to council officials states: “You will note that we have sought advice from DSO (Departmental Solicitor’s Office), however, the department would not be in a position to bring forward emergency legislation.
“Any legislative changes therefore should be looked at as a long-term solution and not in the medium/short term.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for DFC reiterated that any changes to the law would not be possible through emergency legislation.
“The Department for Communities provides the legislative basis for licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOS) and the licensing itself is carried out by district councils,” they added.
“The licensing arrangements are currently under review and the Department will consider whether any changes need to be made.”
Speaking following a meeting with Belfast City Council, local elected representatives, the PSNI, and Ulster and Queen’s Universities yesterday, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: “This year it is more important than ever that those who live in the Holylands and surrounding areas adhere to public health guidelines. Breaches of those guidelines are completely unacceptable.
“At today’s meeting we speak with the collective voice that any planned gatherings are unacceptable and against the regulations and therefore should not take place.”
Regarding a long-term strategy for the Holyland, Ms Hargey said: “There is a need for action to address persistent anti-social behaviour, to mitigate the effects of an historic over-provision of houses of multiple occupancy, and to look holistically at what can be done to improve the experience of residents, including students, in and around these areas.
“There is a clear need for cross-cutting leadership. I am planning the creation of a Strategic Partnership Group with key stakeholders, to examine what can reasonably be done for the Holylands and surrounding areas.”
A BCC spokesperson said: “We continue to engage with statutory and community partners to manage the area and to identify long term solutions.”
‘Six months ago we were writing to Stormont, telling them about ongoing house parties... and we were getting no response’