Newtonabbey Council is to move forward with plans to build a development of new homes on the site of Rushpark Community Centre, a newspaper has reported.

The Co Antrim project – which is in conjunction with the NI Housing Executive – would see the facility making way for 16-20 social housing properties, according to the Newtownabbey Times.

Last year, the council deemed the centre "surplus to requirements" and at a meeting earlier in the week, members of the council's Development Committee were informed that Rushpark is an area in need of additional social housing. They agreed that council officers should work with the Housing Executive and a Housing Association to draw up plans for a suitable development on the 1.13-acre site.

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The meeting was told that current users of the Rushpark centre have been approached regarding the closure and will be accommodated in alternative venues when the facility closes at the end of this year. This will include the transfer of the playgroup to Hazelbank Pavilion.

Meanwhile, the Hazelbank Pavilion building and toilet block is to be redesigned and refurbished, with the work scheduled for completion by the end of December, the report added.

(NS/BMcC)