Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has opened a new £2.7million family housing scheme at Ardilea Close in Downpatrick.

The development of 13 houses and six apartments by Clanmil Housing has been allocated to families from the housing waiting list. The two and three bedroom properties have been built to high energy efficiency levels, with double glazed windows designed to maximise natural light and highly rated insulation fitted as standard. The houses have solar roof panels fitted to assist water heating.

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Minister McCausland said: "My Department requires that all new social housing is constructed to high levels of sustainability and energy efficiency. These new homes have been built to an exacting standard and I have been most impressed by what I have seen.”

"Clanmil Housing is to be congratulated for providing this much needed accommodation in an area that continues to have a high housing need.

"This was a difficult site to develop and everyone involved clearly went the extra mile in terms of design and construction to make it happen. The result, closely integrated with all the existing infrastructure and local amenities, has been hugely successful. This new modern housing will make a huge difference to the daily lives of all who live here."

The Minister praised the partnership between Clanmil Housing, the Housing Executive and the local community that had made the scheme possible.

(CD/GK)