Residents in Dunmurry have called for a ban on any further development in the area as they claim the infrastructure 'shows signs of cracking' under increasing pressure.

Residents - who have complained they are being plagued by the smell of sewage - have the backing of SDLP councillor Brian Heading who said excessive building was putting too much pressure on the infrastructure.

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"There should be an embargo on development until NI Water get the problem solved," he said.

Cllr Heading also expressed his objections to a planning application for 80 apartments in Dunmurry.

He said: “The infrastructure in Dunmurry simply can’t handle another 80 apartments. Planning Service and Developers must acknowledge the problems of overdevelopment in the area; it's ruining the area.

"Dunmurry simply can’t sustain further development like this. I object to this planning application in the strongest possible terms.”

A Northern Ireland Water spokesperson said a new waste water treatment plant would not be ready for at least another four years.

(VB)