Work underway to transform PSNI base into houses

Work underway to transform PSNI base into houses

5 March 2014

WORK is underway to build 12 new social homes at a former PSNI base in Saintfield.

Stormont Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland cut the first sod at the £1.5m Trinity Housing scheme at the Downpatrick Road in the town last week.

Eight one-bedroom apartments, two three-bedroom and two two-bedroom houses are be]ng built to help ease the pressure on the waiting list for social homes in the Saintfield area.

The Trinity Housing scheme has been part-funded by the Northern Ireland Executive through the Department for Social Development, with work on the scheme due to be completed next February.

Mr. McCausland, who was joined by senior Trinity Housing officials at last week’s sod cutting ceremony, said one of his key objectives as housing minister is to ensure everyone has the opportunity to access good quality accommodation, appropriate to their needs.

He said Saintfield continues to be an area of high housing need, explaining the Downpatrick Road scheme will take 12 families off the waiting list, providing them with the very best of quality, modern housing.

“Trinity Housing is to be congratulated for its innovative thinking, excellent design and delivery of this project. I look forward to returning next year to see the completed scheme,” Mr. McCausland added.

Trinity Housing chairman, Robert Moore, said the organisation is pleased to be developing the new housing scheme in Saintfield.

“We are committed to delivering quality homes for those in housing need and look forward to the scheme being completed in February next year,” he added.

The new homes will be built to high energy efficiency standards and can be adapted, if required ,to tenants’ needs, at a later date. The new development will have solar roof panels fitted to assist with water heating.