Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has visited the site of a new £11.5million family housing scheme at Mill Road, Newtownabbey.

The development, on the site of the former Felden Government Training Centre, will provide 97 new homes for families on the social housing waiting list. The new homes are being built by Clanmil Housing Association, with part funding from the Northern Ireland Executive, through the Department for Social Development. Completion is planned for October 2015.

Speaking during a visit to the site, Minister McCausland said: "One of my key priorities as the Minster responsible for housing is to deliver decent, affordable and sustainable homes, which are accessible to all.

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"This new £11.5million housing development at Felden is but one example of this commitment in action. Upon completion almost one hundred more families will be able to access good quality accommodation through these 97 new homes.

"Clanmil Housing is to be congratulated for the excellent design and delivery of this project. The houses are being built to the most exacting standards. The development team are to be applauded for also designing in good quality recreation space. Going these extra miles to help create and sustain a community in which people will want to live is very much to be welcomed."

The new homes will be built to high energy efficiency specifications. All have also been designed to Secured by Design and Lifetime Homes standards, ensuring added security for tenants and flexibility of adaptation if required at a later date.

(CD/IT)