PSNI officers speaking to people outside the entrance to Avoniel Leisure Centre where an 11th night bonfire has been built on the Belfast City Council owned site. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Belfast councillors have agreed not to remove the bonfire built in the grounds of Avoniel Leisure Centre.

Belfast City Council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee said it will pursue individuals over trespassing and investigate leaks around contractors.

The move came after the committee voted earlier this week to send contractors in to remove material from the bonfire in the east Belfast leisure centre's car park.

But after another meeting of the committee on Thursday morning Alliance Councillor Michael Long said it would be "counter-productive" to remove the material on July 11.

In a statement the council committee said members "expressed their concern about the involvement of the east Belfast UVF in the unlawful occupation of the Avoniel site".

Mr Long said when making its decision the committee had had to "take on board that there are children, young people and older people in that area".

"We do have to say that statutory agencies have to really get a grip on this. Belfast City Council has taken the lead on this over the last two or three years.

"It's about time other statutory agencies lived up to their needs and what they should actually deliver for people. It is really disappointing that a democratically taken decision in Belfast City Council cannot be implemented and that is a worrying development."

After the council decision people began removing tyres from the pyre and loading them into a van.

People in Avoniel are removing tyres from the site of the contentious leisure centre bonfire. Say it’s to make sure none are burnt when bonfire is lit later. Police keeping a low key presence in area, officers have been chatting with locals and bonfire builders. pic.twitter.com/xTJGnIyxOB — David Young (@DavidYoungPA) July 11, 2019



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An Eleventh Night bonfire has been built in the car park of Avoniel Leisure Centre

In a statement, a spokeswoman for Belfast City Council's Strategic Policy & Resources Committee (SP&R) said: "Members were updated that a PSNI investigation is under way at Avoniel Leisure Centre following a complaint of aggravated trespass.

"Members agreed to establish an all-party working group, reporting to the SP&R committee, to put in place a framework to achieve more effective management of bonfires.

"They also expressed a need for further robust dialogue with other agencies on the issue of bonfires, including concerns around the involvement of paramilitaries in some cases.

"The committee reiterated its support for the PSNI to take action against those committing and orchestrating aggravated trespass at Avoniel.

"Members again expressed their concern about the involvement of the east Belfast UVF in the unlawful occupation of the Avoniel site."

Responding to the city council move, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said he had resources ready to support any contractor.

"I utterly condemn the intimidation of contractors and recognise the impact this will have had on them, their families and indeed on the council who had sought their services," he said.

"Such intimidation must not be tolerated.

"The complaint from Belfast City Council citing aggravated trespassing at Avoniel Leisure Centre is now being investigated.

"Warnings have been delivered by Belfast City Council to inform people they are trespassing. We have an evidence gathering operation in place and all reasonable steps are being taken to establish if offences have been committed. Any evidence gathered will be considered independently by the Public Prosecution Service.

"The PSNI is determined to continue to support Belfast City Council. We welcome the council's decision to establish an all-party working group to put in place a framework to achieve more effective management of bonfires and would welcome the opportunity to engage with the working group in the time ahead."

Earlier today police twice visited the site in east Belfast and warned bonfire builders and supporters they were trespassing.

Police broadcast a message from inside one of the vehicles, requesting that those on Belfast City Council property vacate the area.

Earlier a council spokeswoman said anyone on the site would be regarded as trespassing until the leisure centre reopens next week.

"Belfast City Council has stated that anyone present within Avoniel Leisure Centre and its grounds will be regarded as trespassers, until the complex is reopened next week," she said.

"Council is anxious to secure the property and clear the site in order to prepare for return to normal use and provision of service to its ratepayers."

Responding to the council decision Robert Girvin, from the East Belfast Cultural Collective, welcomed the fact the bonfire would remain.

"I'm glad they have seen sense, though they say they are going to prosecute people for going on to council land.

"This is a public park, there's a child's playground here and football pitches. Are they going to prosecute the people of Avoniel for using Avoniel Leisure Centre?

"Pettiness in the extreme. It's just getting daft.

"There's a relief on behalf of the community but even if the police had moved in here there would have been disappointment and frustration but there would have been no violence.

"Alliance and Sinn Fein are denying children the use of a play park.

"Unless the UVF is 70-year-old grannies and 12-year-old children, there's no UVF involvement here."

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Police at the Avoniel Leisure Centre after people on the site were asked to leave and warned they were trespassing. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Following the council decision this lunchtime Belfast DUP councillor George Dorrian said: "What we wanted was a positive outcome to this situation, we certainly didn't want anything to be inflamed or any confrontation with the police or council.

"We think this is sensible way forward. We don't have contractors in place and that's the reality of where we are.

"We want to take this forward and already look towards a more positive bonfire season and cultural celebrations.

"We have been working for a better bonfire strategy for the last 18 months and we will continue to do that."

Sinn Féin councillor Ciaran Beattie said the council position remained that it was an illegal bonfire.

"It's disappointing from our perspective. Belfast Council made a democratic decision to remove all bonfire materials from that site.

"This site has been occupied for a number of days now, illegally. We have informed anyone on that site they need to remove themselves, they are trespassing.

"It's disappointing that the contractors have been threatened and the threat has came through to the council, from the police, to say the east Belfast UVF have threatened contractors and possibly with the use of firearms which is a very worrying situation.

"This bonfire is illegal, it's a council leisure facility. It's been occupied, the gates have been barricaded, there's been UVF flags put up around the site, a bonfire has been put in the car park without permission.

"This council still stands firm this is an illegal bonfire."

On Wednesday evening, residents organised a family fun day beside the six-metre high bonfire. It included a performance of loyalist songs by the Rising Sons Flute Band.

Organisers warned against violence but acknowledged anger in the community over the planned clearance.

From the archives: Video - Contractors topple and take away bonfire built in Cluan Place (2018)