A new £25m housing scheme has been approved for the old Bass Brewery in west Belfast.

Some 166 new homes will be built in what is being billed as one of the largest social housing schemes undertaken in Northern Ireland.

It will also create much needed employment - with some 200 on-site jobs boosting the beleaguered construction industry.

The Department for Social Development will provide £17.7m of funding for the development through a Housing Association Grant, with the balance of £7.5m contributed by Clanmil Housing Association (formerly the Royal British Legion Housing Association) through private financing.

Clanmil Housing aims to be a primary provider of high quality homes at the lowest possible economic rent for everyone in housing need.

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It is said to be "committed to providing an open and professional service, which is all embracing and sensitive to the needs of the individual" with building work due to start in March with completion expected in September 2012.

NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said that, when completed, the site will provide high quality, affordable family homes and apartments in an area of high housing need.

"I welcome this major investment for west Belfast. New housing here will make major inroads into waiting lists and stimulate the drive forward to physical and environmental regeneration that has been so long desired in this part of the city. I look forward to seeing work on the site get under way," she said.

There will be a high level of eco-friendly factors in the new housing which will be built to Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, making them 25% more efficient than before.

In addition, all will have 'Secured by Design and Lifetime Homes' accreditation, giving added security and flexibility of adaptation for residents.

Materials from the demolition of the existing buildings on-site will be reused in the construction of the new homes, helping to reduce the development’s overall carbon footprint.

The scheme will cost a total of £25.2m, including acquisition, construction and additional costs.

See: Bass Brewing Up Housing Boost

(BMcC/KMcA)