Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood, today announced plans to invest £3.6m for the redevelopment of housing in the West Winds and Scrabo estates in Newtownards.

The redevelopment will see the vacant flats at Lysander Park and Rathmullan Drive demolished, as well as five commercial units to be replaced by a more sustainable mix of new accommodation.

The flats have been vacant for some time now and had started to blight the community and attract an element that used them as cover for anti-social behaviour.

Minister Attwood said: "This is an important day for the people of both the West Winds and Scrabo estates. Work will now begin to revitalise and regenerate the Rathmullan Drive and Lysander Park areas within the estates, bringing stability for neighbouring tenants as well as attracting new families into the area.

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"At the same time this will help meet the housing demands, where there is already a shortage of three bedroom, family accommodation."

The announcement was made after Minister Attwood gave full approval to the Housing Executive’s proposals to redevelop these parts of the West Winds and Scrabo estates.

The plans will provide for a much improved layout in both estates with better road and parking facilities for existing and future residents alike once the new housing is in place.

The Housing Executive’s board will now consider these proposals for approval with a view to starting the demolition as quickly as possible. An implementation plan will also be developed in consultation with the local community and local representatives who have been actively involved from the outset of this process.

(GK)