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Belfast councillors have been told of an alleged UVF threat that 'could halt work on a £20million leisure centre'.

Work has been ongoing at Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre, formerly the Robinson Centre, as part of a major Belfast City Council overhaul.

Councillors have been told that contractors in East Belfast were allegedly threatened by the UVF over a particular part of the site, historically used for a bonfire.

However, a group that ‘mediates on behalf of ex-combatants formerly linked to the East Belfast UVF’ dismissed the allegation.

Spokesman Jamie Bryson said: “East Belfast Community Initiative have spoken to mediators and are absolutely clear that there is no threat, nor has there been any threat made, against any contractors.

“As a matter of fact, East Belfast Community Initiative has been working for some time with the local community who have engaged with the council and the contractors positively to try and find positive solutions to this particular issue.”

It is understood that councillors were told of the alleged threat that revolves around the grass site and play park at the back of the centre.

That site at Clonduff Drive has been used for an Eleventh night bonfire and was due to be turned into a football pitch as part of the transformation. The play park was also due to be refurbished.

There are now concerns over whether the pitch at the back of the centre will be completed, or if the refurbishment of the play park will go ahead.

A source said: “It’s a disgrace. This is a community project that is needed in the area.

“It is a positive development for the area and it’s a disgrace that the people are being held to ransom.”

When the allegations were put to Belfast City Council , it said: “Council officers are due to report to politicians on the work remaining to be carried out at the rear of the Lisnasharragh site at a meeting of Strategic Policy and Resources committee later this month.

“We would not comment further prior to that meeting.”

In his statement, the EBCI’s Mr Bryson added: “It is an easy allegation to make but those making it would need to put their money where their mouth is and provide some supporting evidence for this wild allegation.

“I would be keen on hearing a PSNI assessment in relation to this allegation because the information that the EBCI has clearly indicates that there is absolutely no basis to this allegation whatsoever.”

The major project is part of a £105million leisure centre overhaul by the council. The council is investing £20million in the “state-of-the-art” facility.

Among the provisions are a 25m gala pool with 250 spectator seats, a 140 station fitness suite, a sports hall and a café. It is due to be completed in Autumn 2019.

SDLP Lisnasharragh Councillor Séamas de Faoite said: “Belfast City Council has received information from the contractors at the new Lisnasharragh Centre about threats against them relating to a portion of the site previously used for 11th night bonfires.

"My understanding is that contractors working on two new 3G pitches and a children’s playground on the £20m state of the art aquatic centre have been forced off site twice following threats alleged to have come from the East Belfast UVF.

“It is absolutely unacceptable that people working hard to develop a cross community, state of the art leisure and health facility for people in this community have been subjected to vile intimidation. There’s no place for it and those responsible have to be faced down.

“This facility is a critical part of efforts to improve public health and provide additional leisure space, particularly for young people in our community.

"Those allegedly responsible claim to speak for people in East Belfast yet it is people in this area who will suffer most as a result of the failure to deliver new 3G pitches and a children’s playpark. They are standing in the way of a community asset.

“Too often this summer we have seen those who seek to drag us back to the past flex their muscle in an attempt to exert a sinister sense of control over this city. The people of Belfast will not stand for this kind of thuggish behaviour or those who seek to excuse or defend it.

“A huge amount of time, energy and public resource has gone into this project. It cannot be derailed now. There must be a guarantee, backed up by the PSNI that workers can return to this project without fear immediately.”

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