Protestors will remain at the scene for "as long as it takes" amid a stand-off over plans to build new sports facilities in West Belfast.
A group took a stand at Glassmullin Green in Andersonstown this morning just as work was due to begin on the project to build a 3G pitch, car park and pavilion in the area.
The project is funded by Education NI for De La Salle College, with contractors Haffey Sportsground undertaking the work.
Local residents are opposed to the construction plans, and have been campaigning to save Glassmullin Green for
A spokesperson for Friends of Glassmullin Open Green (FOGOG) said: "It will deprive our community of our only green space and lead to increased traffic, noise and light pollution in a densely populated and settled residential area.
"Our community will not accept this landgrab and Haffey Sportsground will not be made welcome here."
De La Salle College has argued the project is necessary as they need five pitches to fulfil school curriculum needs.
The college told Belfast Live that "plans have been modified three times to provide a range of facilities which will benefit the whole community".
FOGOG added that the project continues to be a "lose lose scenario for everyone", as the proposed 3G pitch only provides a training pitch and so will be unsuitable to host the school's competitive matches.
The school added that today's start date for construction work is "outside the control of the school", as it has been set up so work will be completed before winter.
A spokesperson from FOGOG said that following this morning's protest at Glassmullin Green, the group of residents will remain at the scene for "as long as it takes", stalling construction work from continuing.
Local residents have been pictured standing in front of oncoming diggers on the green.
Friends of Glassmullin Green said that as contractors Haffey Sportsground approached the area and contacted De La Salle, police were contacted to remove the protesters from the scene.
Keep up-to-date with all the very latest news, what's on, sport and everything else in Belfast and beyond with the Belfast Live app.
Only select news that interests you by picking the topics you want to display on the app's homepage. Plus, our enhanced user experience includes live blogs, video, interactive maps and slick picture galleries. Download it now and get involved.
Click here to get it from the App Store or here for Google Play
