The former Andersonstown Social Security Office in west Belfast is to be turned into 20 new family homes, it has been announced.

Stormont Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood has said that the site of the former Andersonstown Social Security Office will be cleared for 20 new family homes.

It has lain vacant since the Social Security Office relocated to new premises earlier this year and Alex Attwood successfully bid for the land to be transferred to Apex Housing Association from the Department for Finance and Personnel which considered it surplus.

Giving the building trade a much-needed boost, Minister Attwood said: "This is good news for families waiting to be housed in Andersonstown as there is the potential to house up to 84 people on this site.

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"When this land became available, I would have been failing in my duty as Minister if I did not act swiftly to bid for land in areas of significant housing need for a potential new build scheme.

"Those on the waiting list would rightly ask serious questions if I delayed and the opportunity was lost. It is clear that there is good support for housing in this highly sought after area and I am pleased to be able to deliver more high quality homes for the people of west Belfast," he said.

"I have made the money available for this acquisition to take place and have instructed Apex Housing Association to move quickly to formally appoint a design team for the site and to initiate a full consultation with the local community in advance of plans being submitted.

Jim Carlin the Housing Executive's West Belfast Strategy Manager added: "I am delighted with the news that the site has been acquired for social housing.

"Over 1,700 new social homes have already been provided through the Strategy, west Belfast still has the highest number of applicants in housing stress in Belfast so schemes like this are extremely important in helping us meet that target.

"We look forward to working with Apex Housing Association in the development of the new homes which will no doubt make a significant contribution to the regeneration of the overall area," he said.

(BMcC/GK)