The SDLP's Alex Attwood has taken control of housing matters in NI - an occasion marked by a visit today to the newly regenerated Bass Brewery site in west Belfast.

Mr Attwood took over from Margaret Ritchie today as the new minister for Social Development at Stormont, following a post-election reshuffle by the nationalist party.

One of his first tasks was to view 'work-in-progress' at the former Bass Brewery site in west Belfast.

He saw a £25m investment underway which will see the site transformed with 166 new homes and office and retail accommodation being built.

The new Minister also revealed that Clanmil Housing Association, who are constructing the site, will build these homes to 'Code IV standard', making this site the largest energy efficiency social housing site in Northern Ireland.

In kick-starting the regeneration, the new Minister said: "The Bass Brewery was here for around one hundred years creating much needed employment in the area. It was very disappointing to see the brewery close.

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"But now we need to move on, with regeneration and put back something special for the people of west Belfast.

"I welcome the opportunity to invest in much needed new top quality homes, plus offices and shops. And I am pleased that these homes will include an even higher degree of energy efficiency, 44% more than before.

"This will make the Bass Brewery site the largest most sustainable and energy efficient social housing scheme under construction," he said, noting his thanks to his predecessor Margaret Ritchie "for her foresight in ensuring that this multi million pound transformation could happen".

"I now take up the baton, not only for this site, but for the many other exciting initiatives in the New Housing Agenda," he said.

The new Assembly Executive Minister also thanked the NI Housing Executive and Clanmil Housing Association for their roles in bringing the scheme forward.

Welcoming Minister Attwood in his new role, outgoing Minister - and now Westminster MP - Margaret Ritchie said: "I wish Alex every success as he takes over his new ministerial role. He is a very able successor.

"A lot has been done in housing and regeneration, but there is much more to do. This new site at the Bass Brewery will be a tremendous boost for the area, not just in the houses and shops, but also in the jobs in the construction industry to make it happen. "

The Bass Brewery site on the Glen Road in West Belfast, was completed in 1897 but closed its brewing facility in 2004.

(BMcC/GK)