A social housing scheme for people over 55 years of age has officially opened in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland.

The £3.6m scheme, located at Redwoods, is known as the Semper Building.

The development provides 44 one- and two-bedroom apartments for applicants from the social housing waiting list. All have been provided by Clanmil Housing Association with part funding from the Northern Ireland Executive through the Department for Social Development.

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The building was originally built for the private housing market but lay unsold for four years before being purchased by Clanmil.

Today's official opening also marks the Semper Building's first birthday.

Conducting the official opening on behalf of the Department, Stephen Martin, Deputy Director of Housing Policy Delivery, said: "I welcome the opportunity to officially open these new homes and see this fine building being put to such good use after lying idle for so long. This type of intervention where empty homes are brought back into beneficial use for the community is to be applauded.

"The delivery of decent, affordable, sustainable housing for all is a key priority for the Department and this new development is a real, practical outworking of that commitment."

(CD/JP)