New homes plan for Killyleagh

New homes plan for Killyleagh

13 April 2016

KILLYLEAGH is in line for a major housing boost.

Amended plans to build 44 new homes at an area known locally as Peggy’s Bank are to be rubber-stamped by local politicians later this evening.

The private residential development at the Comber Road features 14 detached homes and 30 semi-detached houses at a site which has not been developed since bulldozers first moved on site six years ago.

Killyleagh councillor Billy Walker is delighted the scheme is to be given the green light and has revealed he has been in talks with representatives from a number of housing associations about developing much-needed social housing in other parts of the town.

“The Comber Road scheme is great news for Killyleagh,” he declared. “Not only will the new homes meet a pressing need in the private sector, the new development provides a major shot in the arm for the local construction industry and builders’ suppliers.

“Work to prepare this particular site started six years ago but the recession hit soonafter and work stopped. I hope it won’t be long before builders are back on site and work can start on Killyleagh’s first major private housing development in years.”

He suggested the Comber Road site had become an “eyesore” and had no doubt people who live in the town will pleased that it will finally be developed.

Councillor Walker confirmed he has already identified a number of sites for new social housing developments in his home town and hopes various schemes will come to fruition in the future.

He as held site meetings with representatives from a number of social housing providers and hopes schemes can get underway to help reduce the number of people waiting for social homes in Killyleagh.

“There are a number of potential sites for social housing schemes and I hope the interest which is being shown by a number of organisations to develop them can be firmed up,” he continued.

“The number of people looking for homes in Killyleagh and neighbouring Shrigley continues to rise as there have not been enough homes to meet demand. This is not only an issue in these two areas, but right across the district.”

Councillor Walker says he has held several meetings with social providers to discuss sites in the Killyleagh area, confirming that planning approval is already in place for five new homes at the entrance to the Comber Road estate.

He continued: “Many of those looking for social housing are in the so-called urgent need category. That is why it is so important to do everything possible to advance new schemes to meet demand.

The sites which have been identified in Killyleagh for new social homes offer great potential and I hope they can be developed to help ease the burden of those on the waiting list.

“Taking a few people off the waiting list by providing new homes in the town would be a positive step forward at a time when the need for social housing is readily apparent.”