New housing scheme open for tenants

New housing scheme open for tenants

4 July 2012 - by David Telford

A NEW social housing scheme has been officially opened in Downpatrick.

The £2.5m Ardilea Close development off the Vianstown Road has been constructed by Clanmill Housing.

It was opened last week by Stormont Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland who was joined by Clanmill Housing chairwoman Joan Baird and some of the families who have moved into the development which comprises 13 houses and six apartments.

The two and three bedroom properties have been built to high energy efficiency levels, with double glazed windows designed to maximise natural light and highly rated insulation fitted as standard. The houses also have solar roof panels fitted to assist water heating.

Mr. McCausland said his department requires that all new social housing is constructed to high levels of sustainability and energy efficiency.

“These new homes have been built to an exacting standard and I have been most impressed by what I have seen,” he said. “Clanmil Housing is to be congratulated for providing this much-needed accommodation in an area that continues to have a high housing need.”

The Minister explained the Downpatrick site was difficult to develop and said everyone involved “clearly went the extra mile in terms of design and construction to make it happen.”

Mr. McCausland said the new modern housing will make a “huge difference” to the daily lives of tenants and praised the partnership between Clanmil, the Housing Executive and the local community that had made the scheme possible.

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has welcomed the opening of the new social housing scheme in Downpatrick. She said the homes have been built to the highest design and energy efficient standards.

“The location of the homes is central, with local shops, school, sporting and health facilities within walking distance from Ardilea Close,” she said.

“During my time as Minister for Social Development I was pleased to approve the construction of these homes and it’s my hope that further investment by the DSD in social housing in the South Down area will follow.”

The MP said work on new social homes at in Raholp will be completed soon and she’s hopeful there will be a new social housing development at the Killough Road in Downpatrick.

Mrs. Baird said Clanmil is delighted to welcome new tenants to Ardilea Close and wishes them well as they settle into their new homes and new community.

“Clanmil is committed to providing housing that really meets our tenants’ needs, not just in terms of quality homes and affordable rents, but also in relation to the cost of living in those homes.

“The homes at Ardilea Close have been designed and built to a very high environmental standard, making them up to 40 per cent more energy efficient than standard houses and considerably cheaper for our tenants to run.”

The Downpatrick scheme was financed by the Department for Social Development, the Housing Executive and Clanmil Housing.