Construction of new homes at two sites in Belfast is officially underway - and set to be completed by 2024.
The new developments, in Bloomfield in the east of the city and Ross Street in the west, are said to be playing a significant role in regeneration of both areas, as well as addressing housing need.
Lord Mayor Tina Black visited the Ross Street site to mark the commencing of construction. Led by Radius Housing, Ross Street and neighbouring Roumanina Rise will see 22 new houses and two apartments constructed, including a number with wheelchair access. The lead contractor is Kelly Brothers LLP.
READ MORE: Major West Belfast social housing development gets green light
The £4.8million project, which is due to be completed by late 2024, is supported by the Department for Communities, with £2.2million of the investment being contributed by Radius Housing. The development is within one of the six areas identified within the Department for Communities Building Successful Communities (BSC) programme, which is a housing led approach to regeneration.
The new development in Bloomfield will see the construction of 16 new apartments "built to the highest energy efficiency", in a £3million investment, again supported by the Department for Communities, with a contribution of £1.3million by Radius Housing. The project is being developed by JT Development, and the new homes should be completed by early autumn 2024.
Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Tina Black said: “We know there is huge demand for social housing right across the city, and creating accessible and affordable housing is one of the key priorities in our Belfast Agenda – our community plan for the city.
"I’m really pleased to see that these beautiful new homes are being constructed with sustainability and urban regeneration in mind. We want to see local communities flourish by creating well-connected, green and sustainable environments for our citizens, and it’s fantastic to see these two developments get underway."
Speaking about the new developments, Anita Conway, Director of Development at Radius Housing, said: "The development of disused brownfield sites into new social housing is an important element of urban sustainability and regeneration, and we are delighted to have two such sites in the east and west of the city now in construction.
"Too often these sites are overlooked as being too challenging, but by creating new, high quality homes, we can address housing need and ensure that the wider area benefits. In particular, this work will help to address blight and anti social behaviour in the local area. We look forward to working with the local community as we progress these new developments providing well designed energy efficient homes."
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