Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has officially opened a new £28.1 million social housing scheme in West Belfast.

The new development of 165 units has been built on the former Bass Brewery site in West Belfast and is called Caffrey Hill. The new homes have been provided by Clanmil Housing Association with part funding from the Northern Ireland Executive.

Minister McCausland said: "The provision of 165 new family homes on a site that has lain unused is a wonderful achievement. This continues to be an area of high housing need and these houses and apartments will make a huge difference to the daily lives of all who live here.

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"The delivery of decent, affordable, sustainable housing is a key priority for my Department and these new homes provide that. I was also pleased to hear that Clanmil involved local school children and members of the local community in identifying a name for the new development and welcome that community involvement.

"Clanmil is to be congratulated for identifying the potential of this site and building these new homes on a site which has a long history. I would like to wish all the tenants well in their new homes."

Joan Baird, Chair of Clanmil Housing said: "We are delighted to welcome our tenants to Caffrey Hill and wish them well as they settle into their new homes and new community. It is such a pleasure to see this major development so successfully completed and this historic site back in use for the community. At Clanmil we are committed to providing housing that really meets our tenants' needs, not just in terms of quality homes and affordable rents, but also in relation to the cost of living in those homes."

(CD)