A West Belfast assemblyman has called on Invest NI to secure the development of a site on the Springfield Road.

Paul Maskey said the site is currently being used by local youths from both sides of the interface to launch stoning incidents against rival groups.

He said: "This land along the Springfield Road has now lain derelict for a number of years and on a number of occasions youths from both sides of the interface have accessed the site to launch stoning attacks on each other."

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The Sinn Fein MLA said there is a danger of the site becoming a regular flash point.

"Invest NI has a responsibility to the communities living around site to secure the land properly and stop it being used for these activities," he said.

"Given the good work that has been ongoing between community representatives in the area to improve interface and community relations any assistance would be a further boost to this."

Mr Maskey said he will be writing to NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster to resolve the situation and urge the appropriate securing of this site, in order to put a stop to these disturbances.

(PR/BMcC)