Hazzard pressing Minister to restart housing projects

Hazzard pressing Minister to restart housing projects

25 November 2015

A STORMONT minister has been asked to help restart housing developments across South Down that were aborted as a result of the recession.

Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey has been asked to examine the Builders’ Finance Fund launched in England which made money available to allow developers to restart small housing developments mothballed as a result of the economic crash.

South Down MLA Chris Hazzard said there is an urgent need to “tackle as a matter of urgency” the number of unfinished housing developments across the constituency. He would like to see a scheme similar to the Builders’ Finance Fund supported by the Assembly and hopes Mr Storey will give the matter serious consideration.

Mr Hazzard said during the economic collapse, many construction companies went into liquidation, with communities across the constituency left with unfinished housing developments. 

“Very often, these developments are eyesores and often attract anti-social behaviour. The number of unfinished housing developments across South Down is an issue that needs to tackled as a matter of urgency,” he continued.

“A support fund is needed to help restart housing developments that have slowed down or stalled, such as the Builders Finance Fund, which is currently accepting applications in England.”