East Belfast MP Naomi Long and Chris Lyttle MLA have welcomed the official opening of a new £5m housing development on the site of the former Mersey Street Primary School.

The listed building has been transformed by Connswater Homes into 30 state of the art family apartments with many of its original features remaining intact.

Naomi Long MP, a former pupil of the school, said: "I would like to congratulate Connswater Homes on an excellent scheme, which will not only address housing need in this area but also preserve the important history of this special building for East Belfast."

East Belfast Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle said: "This scheme clearly shows the positive benefits of imaginative restoration projects within the community.

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"The new apartments and the facade which was maintained within the complex are highly impressive and I would like to pay tribute to all those involved."

The Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland formally opened the new £5m social housing development, following renovation of the building from school to modern family apartments.

The former Mersey Street Primary School, which closed in 2006, has been transformed by Connswater Homes into 30 modern, state of the art family apartments. Its listed building status means that much of the original building, including the impressive facade, has remained intact, whilst sympathetic remodelling of the classrooms has provided the new accommodation.

DUP Minister McCausland said: "This really is an impressive development and good news for the people of East Belfast. Not only does this innovative project provide much needed new housing in an area of high housing need, but it rescues a much loved historic building of local importance.

"Too often unused buildings if left too long can blight a community. However, imaginative thinking here has provided new opportunities and very real benefits for local people," he said.

(CD/BMcC)