An 87-home development at Cappagh Green in Portstewart has officially reached completion as the keys were handed over to the final resident.

Radius Housing and BW Social Affordable Housing worked to bring the scheme to life as part of the Department for Communities and Northern Ireland Housing Executive's Shared Housing Programme.

The development represents an investment of £11.8 million, with £6.5m provided by the Department for Communities for the development and associated five-year Good Relations Plan, and the remainder by Radius Housing.

Welcoming the completion of the scheme, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: "The Cappagh Green social and affordable shared housing scheme has provided much needed homes for families in the Portstewart area. These new homes form part of my Department's 'Housing for All' Shared Housing Programme, and they will promote sharing and integration in housing going forward.

"I am committed to provide good quality, affordable and sustainable homes for those most in need, and to explore new ways of delivering more homes going forward. Developments such as these are where people can put down roots and make foundations for their lives and families. Homes make neighbourhoods, and excellent shared developments such as this create places where people want to live and thrive."

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Located off the Coleraine Road in Portstewart, Cappagh Green consists of 75 new social homes and 12 private sale homes on a mixed tenure site, which is the first of its kind in the area. The new development consists of 20 apartments, nine townhouses, 54 semi-detached houses and 4 detached homes. Six of the homes are 'complex needs' homes and have been specifically designed to facilitate people with disabilities and special needs, while 12 were sold ensuring this is a mixed tenure residential development promoting choice and inclusiveness. 

Cappagh Green has two large common areas. In the central area, residents will enjoy the benefits of a bespoke soft landscaped area which includes feature walls, picnic tables and seating areas – all made from recycled plastic. The areas are easily accessible by specialist aggregate paths. Cappagh Green is registered as a 'Secure by Design' development and has received SBD Certification. The houses have been designed as highly energy efficient and sustainable homes with a full range of modern house designs that suit the needs of spacious family living.

BW Social Affordable Housing was the lead contractor on the project, which supported more than 95 construction jobs throughout the lifetime of the construction.

The Cappagh Green Good Relations plan includes 'bridging' events delivered to the wider community to encourage a range of good relations outcomes, including Health and Wellbeing, Education and Training to build a strong cohesive community. Radius continues to work in partnership with local Advisory Group stakeholders and residents to develop this plan.

Speaking at the final handover, Anita Conway, Radius Housing's Development Director commented: "We are delighted to see the completion of this mixed tenure development and we wish the very best to everyone in their new homes. We have been looking forward to this for some time as these high quality homes will help address the high level of housing need locally and provide an accessible opportunity for all buyers.

"At Radius we are committed to creating high quality new developments, which merge smoothly with the wider community and we are proud to deliver the first mixed tenure site in the North West area. An investment of this size also brings significant benefit through construction jobs and supply chain opportunities, and working with BW, we have been able to ensure that it has had a positive impact."

Radius currently has 12 shared housing developments across Northern Ireland.