The Parades Commission last night gave the go-ahead for a loyalist march in the heart of west Belfast.
The commission ruled that more than 20 loyalist bands, involving 400 members, will be allowed to parade along a loyalist section of the Blacks Road in west Belfast next Saturday as part of a community festival in the Suffolk estate.
It is thought to be the first time that such a substantial loyalist parade has been allowed to march in the heart of west Belfast since the start of the Troubles.
The parade will set off at 1.30pm from Carnmore Park and make its way through Donegore Gardens, Tildarg Avenue and along the Blacks Road to the junction of the Stewartstown Road.
It will then turn back down the Blacks Road and parade around Oranmore Drive, Kells Avenue, Ringford Crescent, Blacks Road, Donegore Gardens and Tildarg Avenue to Carnmore Park, where it will disperse at 4pm.
The parade is billed as part of a weekend of events to mark the 20th anniversary of the Upper Falls Protestant Boys' Flute Band, based in the small loyalist estate.
Sinn Féin councillor Michael Browne, who yesterday (Thursday) met the commission to discuss concerns about the march, said he did not expect any nationalist protests on the day.
"Our concern is that local people's lives are not disrupted," he said.
"The people living in that part of the Blacks Road are entitled to celebrate their culture if that is what they want to do."
"Our concern is that any potential pitfalls are addressed well in advance and that the thing is properly managed so that the people who want to enjoy this event can do so, while at the same there is no detrimental impact on the rest of the community."
