Housing Minister Nelson McCausland lends a hand in sorting out the new decor in a £4.3million housing scheme at Springfarm in Antrim.

Once home to military families, keys have been handed over to new residents following refurbishment and new build by Clanmil Housing.

A total of 53 houses at Mull Road and Islay Street are being brought back into use for letting to families off the waiting list. The first 10 of 45 houses to be refurbished to modern standards have just been completed. The remainder, along with eight new build properties, are all due for completion within the next two months. This follows on from Clanmil’s recent similar success in bringing ten former Ministry of Defence properties back into use at Ballaghmore Heights in Enniskillen.

Refurbishing existing dwellings is not only a more cost effective way of doing business, but it takes families off the waiting list much more quickly than the new build route and critically, also plays a key role in the regeneration process.

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Minister McCausland said: "I am delighted to see these former long term vacant properties being brought back into meaningful use for the people of Antrim. The action being taken here is aimed at building for the future. What better way to do that than by creating new opportunities for new families to access good, high quality housing in a shared neighbourhood environment.

"Too often empty homes can destabilise and blight a community so it is important that we take every opportunity to maintain our emphasis on bringing vacant homes back into beneficial use. This imaginative initiative, assisted by strong community involvement, is bringing new life back to the area and that has to be very much welcomed."

Clare McCarty, Chief Executive of Clanmil Housing, introduced the Minister to some of Clanmil’s newest tenants. She said: "Major refurbishment is bringing these once vacant houses back to life as much needed, high quality, affordable family homes and we are delighted to see our first tenants moving in and making them their own. We wish them many happy years in their lovely new homes and look forward to welcoming more families as the next phases are completed.

"The construction of eight new homes at the scheme is also underway and they too will soon be ready for occupation by new tenants."

(CD/GK)