It's knock-down and start again for part of a suburban area east of Belfast with news of the redevelopment of housing in the West Green area of Holywood.

The Stormont Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood, today announced plans to invest £6m to demolish vacant to be replaced by a more sustainable mix of new accommodation.

The flats have been vacant for some time and would have needed significant investment to modernise, he noted.

The plans will provide for a better layout in the estate and includes measures to enable traffic to flow more easily as well as providing better parking facilities for existing and future residents alike once the new housing is in place.

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Minister Attwood said: "This is an important day for the people of the Loughview estate.

"Work can now begin to revitalise the West Green area within the estate, bringing stability for neighbouring tenants as well as attracting new families into the area.

"At the same time this will help meet the demands of the housing waiting list, which reflects the need for this type of new housing mix," the SDLP Minister said.

"Home owners and residents alike within the Loughview estate will also benefit from this redevelopment by seeing their estate transformed."

Today's announcement was made after Minister Attwood gave full approval to the Housing Executive's proposals to redevelop the West Green area.

The NI Housing Executive will now begin to contact all those directly affected by the demolition and redevelopment to outline exactly how they will be affected.

An implementation plan will also be developed in consultation with the local community detailing how and when this work will be delivered.

The redevelopment work involves the demolition of 40, two-bedroom flats in two blocks at West Green.

When complete, the new housing put back will include 55 units comprising 35 townhouses and 20 new apartments, incorporating a new road layout with greater parking provision.

(BMcC/GK)