Business

Work begins on £2.6m social housing scheme

Choice Housing has marked the start of a new £2.6m social housing scheme in Monkstown. Pictured at the site of the new scheme are: Deborah Brown, Department for Communities; David Mcrea, Monkstown Community Association; and Hazel Bell, Choice Housing.
Choice Housing has marked the start of a new £2.6m social housing scheme in Monkstown. Pictured at the site of the new scheme are: Deborah Brown, Department for Communities; David Mcrea, Monkstown Community Association; and Hazel Bell, Choice Housin Choice Housing has marked the start of a new £2.6m social housing scheme in Monkstown. Pictured at the site of the new scheme are: Deborah Brown, Department for Communities; David Mcrea, Monkstown Community Association; and Hazel Bell, Choice Housing.

ONE of the north's largest housing associations has started work on a £2.6 million scheme in Co Antrim.

Choice Housing has begun work on Devenish Drive in Monkstown, with the social housing scheme set to deliver 20 new homes by the autumn of next year, comprising a mix of apartments, houses and bungalows.

Almost half of the homes are designed to meet challenges that face older people or those with complex needs. The scheme was made possible by the transfer of land from the Housing Executive, funding of £1.47m from the Department for Communities and an investment of £1.13m being provided by Choice Housing.

Group chief executive of Choice Housing, Michael McDonnell said:

“We’ve wasted no time in getting this site construction-ready and the start of these new homes is good news for people in Monkstown and those on the housing waiting list. We look forward to officially opening the Devenish Drive scheme next year and welcoming families and individuals who can contribute to the wider economy and fabric of the local community."

"We know there is acute demand for new homes and our extensive new-build programme has made good progress this year. We’re working hard to get more schemes underway and identifying new sites that can support more great homes," he added.

The Devenish Drive housing scheme was designed by Rolston Architects and construction work is being carried out by contractor Brendan Loughran & Sons Ltd.