Construction firm GEDA has started building work on the the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's (NIHE) first housing development in nearly 25 years.

The scheme will see six semi-detached dwellings built at Sunningdale Gardens in north Belfast.

Part of a new build pilot, the six homes will be built using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and ultra-low energy building techniques, to Passive House standard.

NIHE Chief Executive, Grainia Long said: "We are excited to see work begin on these modern homes which we hope will offer a blueprint for the future of social housing.

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"We are not just building new homes for our tenants for the first time in a generation. We are building future-proofed homes that will be constructed to a standard beyond that of current building regulations in Northern Ireland.

"Making sure our tenants have homes that are safe, warm and dry is always our priority and this pilot pairs that with our commitment to reaching net zero.

"The ultra-low energy building methods being used to construct these houses will mean that our tenants benefit from improved energy efficiency and a reduction in carbon emissions, lower heating bills, savings from reduced fuel costs and more comfortable homes.

"This pilot will also give us the opportunity to explore the practicalities of returning to building homes as part of the revitalisation of our organisation."

Construction on site will begin immediately.