Old Downe plans withdrawn as social housing scheme

Old Downe plans withdrawn as social housing scheme

17 June 2015

PLANS for a major new social housing development in Downpatrick have been withdrawn.

Clanmil Housing was proposing to build 80 new social homes at the former Downe Hospital site but has confirmed this week the proposal has been aborted.

The seven acre site was purchased by a consortium last year but officials from the housing association have only now confirming this has scuppered their plans to build 80 homes in two phases.

Despite formally withdrawing its plan, Clanmil insists it remains committed to helping meet demand for social housing in Downpatrick where there are currently 110 people on the waiting list.

A Clanmil spokeswoman said the body recently advertised in the European Journal for landowners and developers to bring forward design and build projects for social housing in Downpatrick.

“We would be delighted to hear from anyone who knows of any available development site or existing properties in Downpatrick that could help us meet housing need. 

“We would also ask local political representatives to work with us to help identify and secure sites, both private and public, that we can develop to provide more great homes,” the spokeswoman added.

The Housing Executive has confirmed it plans to continue working with Clanmill and other housing associations to “bring forward suitable developments for Downpatrick to meet the area’s housing need.”

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has urged Stormont Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey to ensure the houses earmarked for Downpatrick remain in his department’s housing development programme and are provided elsewhere in the town to meet the pressing need for accommodation. She is also encouraging Clanmil to “explore all options” to ensure its proposed scheme for Downpatrick can proceed.

She continued: “Undoubtedly, there is an unmet social housing need in Downpatrick which needs to be addressed through the provision of additional housing units via the housing association sector.”

The MP, who spoke with Clanmil officials on Monday, said she welcomes the organisation’s commitment to “actively pursue” opportunities in Downpatrick and would hope it’s plans to provide more homes, including a design and build scheme, will be successful.

“I would hope that such discussions fuelled by ministerial intervention and support could maybe result in the reinstatement of the social housing scheme at the old Downe. Such a scheme would make a contribution to sustaining the construction industry and the local economy,” said Miss Ritchie.

“Due to the size of the site and the need for further economic regeneration initiatives in Downpatrick, I would encourage the consortium who purchased the former hospital site to also consider the provision of a hotel to cater for tourism and the visitor economy.”

The MP said the former hospital site, which borders the Killough and Ardglass roads, Pound Lane and John Street, was identified in a master plan produced for Downpatrick by the Department for Social Development to boost development and economic regeneration.

Miss Ritchie added: “I believe this objective should be fulfilled and will be working with Minister Storey to ensure that social housing and a hotel are provided on the old Downe site. I will also be making representations to the Minister regarding these important housing and regeneration issues which require his intervention and resolution.”