'I'm going to have to pay £800 to protect my windows from bonfire'
BBCA man who lives close to the site of a bonfire has said he has been quoted a price of just under £800 to fit protective boarding over his windows.
Tim McCullagh said he and other residents were sent a letter by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) telling them they would deliver boards to houses close to the Churchill Park bonfire in Bangor.
However, only NIHE properties will also have them fitted.
In statement, the Housing Executive said: "We have offered protective boarding to both Housing Executive tenants and other residents and if individuals have any issues we would urge them to contact us and we will seek to provide a resolution."
Speaking to BBC NI's The Nolan Show, McCullagh said: "This bonfire is going to cause damage potentially to properties.
"Why is it allowed? Why do people have to pay out of their own pockets to protect their own properties?
"This happens every year, so if it happens every year clearly they know this is going to be an issue. Why isn't it regulated better?"
'No other option'
He said he had booked someone to fit the boards on Saturday.
"I'm going to have to pay £800, but I think there is no other option here when I look at it, you can't replace stuff in the house," he said.
"It's not just me paying for this, I think we have to see the wider implications.
"It's going to cost the ratepayer, they're paying for these boards, they're paying for the staff to come out and deliver them."
He added: "My issue is not with the culture on this, my issue is I don't want to be out of pocket."
'A complex issue'
On 11 July, bonfires are lit across Northern Ireland as part of celebrations in some unionist areas, ahead of the Orange Order's 12 July parades.
A spokesperson for the Housing Executive said they don't provide approval for bonfires built on NIHE land.
"However, we recognise this is a complex issue and one which can be very divisive.
"We regularly monitor each bonfire being built on our land and will do so in the weeks ahead.
"When dealing with bonfires on our land, we work with all relevant agencies, elected representatives and the community and take steps to reduce any risks in so far as we reasonably can.
"This can include adding protection to properties.
"In Ards and North Down, we will be working with local representatives to minimise potential damage to any property."
Elsewhere, more than 20 windows in Tullycarnet Library in east Belfast have been boarded up to try to protect the building from an 11th night bonfire.
Rooms within the library which face the bonfire include a toddlers' play area.
The library is staying open this week.
Windows have been removed and replaced with wooden boards on two sides of the building.
The bonfire is on waste ground in the middle of a housing development, off the Kings Road, about a mile from Dundonald Ice Bowl.
A Libraries NI spokesperson has said they are "taking precautionary measures" regarding the bonfire.
"These temporary precautions will minimise the risk of potential damage to the property.
"Tullycarnet Library remains open and all services continue to operate as normal."
