THE first sod has been cut on a new £2.2 million Alpha Housing development in Newry, which will provide 10 new family homes in the city.
The Parkhead Close scheme will be delivered in partnership with the Department for Communities (DfC), who part-funded the project with £1.1m grant through the NI Housing Executive.
Located on repurposed land on the Camlough Road, it will comprise eight three-bedroom homes, a single five-bedroom house and one four-bedroom property, and is due to be completed in summer 2024.
Construction work will be carried out by Newry-based Belnew Developments.
Cutting the first sod in what was one of her first engagements as chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Valerie Harte said: “I'm delighted to see Alpha Housing’s impressive plans for these much-needed family homes in the heart of the city.
“This investment will make an important contribution to addressing housing waiting lists in the area as well as the regeneration a previously derelict piece of land.”
Alpha Housing chief executive Cameron Watt added: “This new development, located close to amenities and transport links, will revitalise a previously unused area of land off the Camlough Road, catering for a wide range of family sizes and needs.
“We are working closely with the Carnagat Community Association who are very supportive of this project and its wider benefits for the local area.
“Newry, Mourne and Down Council recently passed a motion to prioritise social housing development over the next decade, and Alpha Housing is committed to contributing to this goal, helping provide a range of affordable, high-quality homes.”
Sinead Collins, the NI Housing Executive’s head of place shaping for the south region, said: “It is fantastic to see work is now under way to deliver new homes in the Newry area. We've worked closely with Alpha to support the provision of these new-build social homes, which is welcome news for Newry, where the need for additional social housing remains consistently high.”
