There have been tensions between students and residents in the area

But after years of cool relations in the area known as the Holyland, the atmosphere between students and residents seem to be warming.

The mediation group, Extern, has been working in the area to help the community address its problems.

Chairman of the Holyland Regeneration Association David Farrell, who has lived in the area for more than 25 years, agreed some positive changes had been made, such as a council initiative to tidy up the area.

But he said a planning policy of converting properties into small, rented flats for the last decade or so had contributed to "massive anti-social behaviour," with 80% of those living in the area now students.

It will be fantastic if the Anti-Social Behaviour Orders are backed up by the police service David Farrell Resident

He said over the past ten years, students numbers had increased from 6,000 to more than 24,000.

"Students will start to go to 'pre-going out 'parties between seven and nine in the evenings. Then they will go out," he said.

"They are exploited by cheap drink promotions in the local area, and they come back between one and four in the morning, usually singing, and shouting and throwing food wrappers and acting anti-socially in the area."

The government has, this week, announced plans to introduce measures to protect people from anti-social behaviour in all parts of Northern Ireland.

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) are designed to prevent disruptive behaviour by individuals and families who make life difficult for their communities.

Graffiti sums up the somewhat cool atmosphere

Effective for a minimum of two years, ASBOs are handled by police and local authorities working in partnership. Breaches are punishable by up to five years in prison.

Mr Farrell said he hoped the orders would be regularly enforced in the 'Holyland' area.

"It will be fantastic if the Anti-Social Behaviour Orders are backed up by the police service and enforced rigorously," he said.

Extern is holding a conference on Tuesday which involves officials from Queens University in Belfast, the University of Ulster, Belfast City Council, the police, landlords, the Northern Ireland House Executive.

Angela McElkerney of Extern said it had been carrying out a community safety and education programme in the Holyland.

With the relationships that we have built with the various agencies in the area, it's very, very beneficial Angela McElkerney Extern

It is aimed at giving the community the opportunity to identify and address local issues, backed up by local bodies.

She agreed that the outlook for the area was better, especially with the formation of the regeneration association and the participation of residents in a community development programme.

"We definitely have made progress," she said.

"And with the relationships that we have built with the various agencies in the area, it's very, very beneficial and it's a very positive outlook."

The Holyland gets its name because of the Middle East-themed road names such as Damascus Street, Jerusalem Street and Palestine Street.

Last September, volunteers took part in a campaign to clean up the area.

Staff and students from both universities, Northern Ireland Housing Executive representatives, local residents and landlords, as well as church and community activists also removed rubbish from streets and alleyways.

The University of Ulster said it was a way of demonstrating that they were working for the good of all living in the Holyland.