At a public meeting, held on June 23, concerned residents from two nearby folds gathered over proposed plans to convert the Whitefort Inn on the Andersonstown Road, owned by Arthur and Tony Rooney, into a hotel.

Members of the public heard from a panel made up of Alex Attwood MLA and Paul Maskey MLA. A representative from the Whitefort Inn declined the invitation once it was known the press would be in attendance.

Speaking to The CT after the meeting Sean McKnight, general manager of the Whitefort Inn, said: “The idea has not yet reached the planning department, it is still very early days.

“We are pursuing our original strategy which is to gather ideas from as many sources as possible before presenting our plans to the residents.

“We know we are not going to satisfy everyone but we will take on as many concerns as we can.

“We did not attend the meeting because we were informed the media would be present and we were not ready to reveal our proposals,” he said.

Last month it was revealed tourism across the city was increasing.

Glen Philips, tourism development officer from Failte Feirste Thiar, said: “The number of people visiting west Belfast over the last number of years has increased. You only have to walk onto the Falls Road at anytime and you will see people walking with maps, looking at the murals or visiting the Culturlann.”

However, those opposed to the hotel plans do not deny the need for a hotel in west Belfast.

Alex Attwood MLA said: “The SDLP is not opposed to a hotel in west Belfast. “We believe that there are strong planning reasons why this hotel should be opposed, in terms of over development, density, impact on road safety, the affect of light on the sheltered dwellings and the full range of planning grounds.

“We will be supporting the local community in mounting a strong campaign to stop this development.

“The owners of the Whitefort can find the time to get the West Belfast Enterprise Council support for their proposal, meet political parties, perhaps even lobby for US money, but can’t find the time or reason to come to a public meeting and speak with local people.” Paul Maskey MLA said: “I was there to listen to the public. As yet there has been no planning application made. Until I see firm plans I will not make a judgement in the area.”