The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) has been slammed for refusing to vest land for social housing at a site in north Belfast.

Belfast City Council recently approved plans for a retail only development to be built at the site.

However, Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín wrote to the Housing Executive stressing that it should vest a section of the site for social housing.

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She said: "It is deeply disappointing that they have now responded stating that they do not intend to vest partly because of the reluctance of the current owner to sell the land.

"However, the entire point of vesting powers is to allow for compulsory purchase in order to address a wider public need.

"In the case of Hillview there is an obvious and growing need for social housing in what is one of the North's most disadvantaged communities. I am calling on the Housing Executive to review this inexplicable decision immediately."

(CD/MH)