Significant progress is being made on a new social housing development in Bangor, Co Down.

Construction work has started on the second phase of the project at Rathgill Parade and Phase One is expected to be completed in mid 2017.

The development will provide 179 new social homes when complete and is funded with £10.9million from the Department for Communities through the NI Housing Executive, with Fold Housing Association providing £9.3million through private finance.

-- Advertisement --

Communities Minister Paul Givan recently visited the site and said: "It is a great pleasure for me to once again visit North Down to see this exciting and significant new phase of social housing. This development is another example of how my Department, the NI Housing Executive and housing associations are working hard to meet housing demand in this popular area.

"This development at Rathgill Parade is the first bespoke mixed tenure project of its kind and I know that Fold is delighted to be at the forefront of this innovation as they aspire to meet the housing needs of everyone by assisting people to get on the property ladder."

The scheme also includes a play park and retail unit which will help serve the local community and will also feature green open spaces and have pedestrian access into the Balloo Wetlands nature reserve.

(CD/MH)