Homes plan for old Downe site

Homes plan for old Downe site

28 September 2016

A DECISION about plans for a new social housing estate on the old Downe Hospital site in Downpatrick may be imminent.

Planners have been considering full plans for the social housing development since last year after the seven acre site was purchased by a consortium.

This consortium is now seeking permission to design and build 120 houses and apartments for Clanmil Housing Association at Pound Lane with the first phase, of 37 properties, including semi-detached, detached, terraced house and apartments, already under consideration.

The development is one project within the Housing Executive’s five-year plan for the council area, which includes the construction of almost 500 new homes.

News that planning permission for social housing was being actively pursued at the old hospital site was confirmed at a special meeting of Newry Mourne and Down Council in Downpatrick on Monday evening where Housing Executive representatives updated councillors on their plans for the area.

My Gerry Flynn, the Housing Executive’s director of Landlord Services, confirmed that his organisation supported the development of the hospital site for social housing.

With Downpatrick expected to need 125 new properties over the next five years, Mr Flynn said the Downe Hospital site could potentially provide space for about 120 units.

However, he added that if progress is not made on the hospital site, the Housing Executive would look at other areas for redevelopment.

He said existing houses in estates across Downpatrick would continue to be used to help satisfy local demand until a full site becomes available.

A spokeswoman for Clanmil Housing yesterday confirmed the organisation was working with the developer of the site.

“Clanmil Housing currently does not own the site at Downe Hospital in Downpatrick.  However we are delighted to be working with the site developer, through a competitive design and build process, to progress the delivery of much needed homes in this area,” she said.

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has urged planners to expedite permission for the scheme, which she said could provide Downpatrick with regeneration and employment.

She also called on the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to find a solution for the listed building on the site. She said such a solution was needed before the remainder of the area could be fully developed as part of the 120-unit plan.”

At Monday’s meeting, councillors also sought updates about social housing plans for other towns and villages across the district.

Rowallane councillor William Walker asked for confirmation about plans for his area over the next few years, asking if there were plans for sheltered accommodation and querying why Ballynahinch was not considered to need any 

new social housing over the next four years.

A Housing Executive officer explained that schemes already underway at Antrim and Dromore Street in Ballynahinch would fulfil local need by providing 52 extra units, while adding that there was no identified need for sheltered accommodation in Rowallane where just 29 older people are deemed to be under housing stress.

She said the Housing Executive encouraged housing associations to come up with potential development sites in Saintfield where there was a need for around 35 new homes and said schemes for Crossgar and Killyleagh were actively being pursued.

Councillor Willie Clarke said he was concerned by news that just 40 new units had been earmarked for Newcastle over the next five years, when there are 265 applicants on a waiting list considered to be under housing stress.

“This means you will be on the waiting list for a long time, not only the original applicant but their children might also be old enough to be on the list by the time they get a house,” he said.

Mr Flynn said officials were keen to speak to councillors about the availability of potential sites for social housing development in Newcastle. 

He also confirmed that plans are underway to quickly re-launch a social housing scheme at Bracken Avenue in Newcastle that was damaged by fire.

The Housing Executive also confirmed, at Monday’s meeting, that a study to properly assess the need for more social housing in Ballyhornan would be carried out before the end of the year.