Construction work has started to develop 119 new homes in the Creggan area, L'Derry.

Radius Housing has teamed up with Sean Dolan's GAC, to deliver the new houses, alongside sports & community facilities.

The project, which also involves Ulster GAA and Derry City & Strabane District Council, will also bring major improvements to the facilities at Sean Dolan's GAC and develop a new multi-use community facility.

The scheme will transform the lands to the west of the current Sean Dolan GAC grounds at Bligh's Lane and represents an investment in excess of £20million in the Creggan area. Planning permission was secured in January, and Radius has appointed P & K McKaigue as the contractor for the project, who will be on site in the coming weeks. Radius is working with Sean Dolans GAC, Ulster GAA, Derry City and Strabane District Council, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Department for Communities, to ensure all aspects are in place so the project can realise the wide ranging economic and social benefits for the local community and wider area.

Alongside the significant investment in 119 new social homes in an area of acute housing need, this project will support both Sean Dolan's ambition to develop as a club and also the wider strategic plans of the GAA in growing the prominence of Gaelic games across the city. A range of other opportunities, activities and events, which will have a positive impact on the wider Creggan community, will also be facilitated as a result of the project.

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Anita Conway, Director of Development at Radius Housing, said: "We are delighted that the construction of this major project is beginning, and we are excited by the ambition and benefits this will bring to the whole community. We have been working with Sean Dolan’s GAC and the other partner organisations for over three years, and we see this as an innovative way to deliver high quality homes, in an area where social homes are needed, and support essential community development.

"As a developer we know the difficulties faced in acquiring suitable development land, and working with Sean Dolan’s we have both been able to develop an innovative partnership approach which addresses a wide range of needs in the local area. Working with community based clubs like Sean Dolan’s allows Radius to help them realise their untapped potential, and bring much needed homes to the local area and maximise all available amenities within these areas for the benefit of the local communities. This is so much more than a housing project and a sports hub. This will be a vital economic and social driver for the Creggan area and City wide."

Stephen McGeehan, Head of Operations for Ulster GAA, said: "Every GAA club is keen to develop the best facilities for their members, which allow their teams across all ages to develop their skills and increase fitness and wellbeing. But there are always limitations on how this can be done, and we are delighted that Sean Dolan's have been able to partner with Radius Housing on this amazing and far reaching project. This will bring an incredible level of community benefit, not just to the club, but to the wider city area, and we hope it is a new partnership model which can be replicated in other GAA and sports clubs."