An estimated 200 construction jobs are to be created for Northern Ireland, with one of the biggest social housing schemes starting early next year. This will give the province a boost to its struggling construction industry.
The project will start on the site of the old Bass Brewery in west Belfast to build 166 new homes, as well as office and retail accommodation. Construction work will begin in March 2010 and is expected to be completed by September 2012.
Clare McCarty, chief executive of Clanmil Housing, said: “This major family housing scheme will help meet the high level of housing need in the west Belfast area. I would like to thank local political and community representatives for their ongoing support in delivering this scheme. Not only will this development deliver 166 much needed social homes, but it will also provide an important boost for the local construction industry during a difficult time.”
One of the main aims of the construction is to provide a high level of eco-friendly factors in the new housing. It will be built to Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, making them 25 per cent more efficient than before. In addition to this, they all will have 'Secured by Design and Lifetime Homes' accreditation, giving added security and flexibility of adaptation for residents.
In keeping with the eco friendly aim, materials from the demolition of the existing buildings on-site will be reused in the construction of the new homes, in the hope of helping to reduce the development’s overall carbon footprint.