Belfast City Council refused applications for Irish-language street signs at two East Belfast locations during a People and Communities Committee meeting this week. The streets, Onslow Gardens off Cregagh Road and Stormont Park off Upper Newtownards Road, met the policy's 15 percent support threshold but had more residents opposed than in favour.

The committee reviewed six applications for dual-language signs. The other four - Kimberley Street off Sunnyside Street and St Johns Place in South Belfast, plus Indiana Avenue off Cavehill Road and Mountainview Drive near Crumlin Road in North Belfast - received approval. Alliance Councillor Jenna Maghie proposed approving those four while excluding Onslow Gardens and Stormont Park.

For Onslow Gardens, a survey of 115 occupiers found 29 in favour and 41 against. For Stormont Park, a survey of 83 occupiers showed 13 in favour and 56 against. DUP Councillor Fred Cobain, the committee chair, used a casting vote to pass the Alliance proposal after a 9-9 tie.

A Sinn Féin counter-proposal from Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly to approve all six applications failed. Councillor Maghie stated the decision aligned with past practices on streets with majority opposition.

Council policy, updated in 2022, requires 15 percent support from surveyed occupiers to install dual-language signs. Non-responses no longer count as opposition. The policy applies across Belfast streets.