Nine social houses to be built at Pound Lane site

Nine social houses to be built at Pound Lane site

12 October 2016

NINE new social homes are to be built at Pound Lane in Downpatrick.

The homes are being constructed for the Clanmil Housing Association at the site of a former health centre which was bulldozed several years ago.

Formal planning approval for the new homes was confirmed on Monday and the news has been welcomed by South Down MP Margaret Ritchie and Colin McGrath MLA.

Miss Ritchie described the former health centre location and old Downe Hospital complex next door as “pivotal regeneration sites.” She said a private developer bought both sites some time ago and last year submitted planning applications for social housing schemes.

The MP said the former health centre site will be regenerated for the benefit of people who live at this part of Downpatrick, with the nine new social homes helping ease pressure on the waiting list for public sector homes in the town.

“The new development will feature semi detached and townhouses and will be located adjacent to existing homes in John Street,” said Miss Ritchie. “It is important the Pound Lane site will continue to bring social benefit to the local community through jobs in the construction of the houses and then in housing provision for our local population. 

“Obviously, there will be a partnership arrangement with a housing association which will ensure that houses are allocated according to need and this is welcome news indeed.”

The MP said she also hopes planners and other agencies will act in an “expeditious way” to approve the other planning applications for social housing at the old Downe site.

“Regeneration is urgently required as a means of safeguarding this particular site for the local community. Developments at the former health centre location and the old hospital site will provide much-needed revitalisation in this part of Downpatrick since both sites were vacated seven years ago,” said Miss Ritchie.

The MP said the former hospital site was identified as a “strategic economic opportunity” in Downpatrick’s masterplan which outlined future development opportunities across the town centre. She said she looks forward to building work getting underway at the former health centre location and approval to build new homes at the former hospital site nearby.

News of the Pound Lane development comes after it was revealed recently that planners are currently considering a proposal to build another 120 new social homes at the old hospital site.

A consortium is seeking permission to build the new homes and apartments for Clanmil at the hospital site, with the initial phase of 37 properties including a mix of terraced, semi-detached, detached homes and apartments.

This development is one of a number of projects included in the Housing Executive’s five year plan for the Newry, Mourne and Down Council area which includes the construction of almost 500 homes.

Housing officials estimate Downpatrick requires 125 new properties over the next five years, with the former hospital site capable of accommodating 120 new homes.