A contentious Orange Order proposal to march past a flashpoint in north Belfast has been rejected by the Parades Commission.
The proposal to hold a return parade past the nationalist Ardoyne area the day after an outward march on July 12 had been put forward by the County Grand Lodge of Belfast as a “genuine and serious attempt” to resolve an parading dispute.
An agreement between the Crumlin Ardoyne Residents Association and the Orange Order in 2016 brought to an end a long-running dispute over the holding of an evening return parade past the Ardoyne shops, which before the deal had led to violence and disorder.
The deal provided for morning parades to take place without objections from Ardoyne residents, with the Orange Order agreeing a “voluntary moratorium” on return evening parades.
However, three lodges applied this year to hold an evening return parade on July 12, sparking concern among Ardoyne residents.
Last month the loyal order offered to a new proposal to move the return parade to the morning of July 13, to be accompanied by one band and up to 90 participants.
On Friday the Parades Commission determined the parade could not pass the Ardoyne area, and participants could only assemble and depart from the junction of Crumlin Road and Wheatfield Gardens, towards the end point at Ligoniel Orange Hall.
In its determination, the Parades Commission said police had “referred to the potential for serious disorder to rise in relation to the parade”.
However, it also acknowledged the Order “has, for the first time, met it directly to provide representations”.
“This is a very positive development,” it added.
Welcoming the ruling, North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said: “This is good news. We have had a number of years of normality and peace in this area.
“This decision will come as a huge relief for residents and local businesses in the Crumlin Road area.”