A Sinn Féin assemblyman has slammed recommendations for a new Belfast sports stadium at Ormeau Park.

Alex Maskey said his party will continue to support local residents in the Ballynafeigh area in their campaign to oppose the building of a stadium.

He was speaking after consultants hired by Belfast City Council recommended Ormeau Park as the site for a new sports complex.

The South Belfast MLA said: "Proposals to site the new stadium in Ormeau Park have resurfaced once again. Those who are supporting the calls to site the stadium in Ormeau Park are going against the wishes of almost all of the residents living in the area that I have spoken to."

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Mr Maskey said residents living in south Belfast, particularly the areas close to the Ormeau Park, are concerned at the prospect of having a large stadium built in Ormeau Park.

"There are particular concerns around the loss of green space as well as the knock on effects that such as stadium would have, such as increased parking and traffic problems, and noise pollution," said the Sinn Fein man.

"Added to this is the fact that there is not the infrastructure within the area to cope with such a project.

"I would call upon all the other political parties on Belfast City Council to likewise come out in support of the local residents in this area," he added.

(PR/JM)