Despite progress being made to reduce the backlog of unadopted developments in Northern Ireland, there are still concerns that "home-owners have been left in an unacceptable position," according to Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd.

While speaking at a Private Member's Motion at Stormont, the Minister highlighted the work his Department and NI Water have carried out to minimise the backlog and pledged "to identify any further potential improvements to the development adoption process to ensure that no property owner is left in limbo and unable to move as a result of a developer who has defaulted on their agreements, either by leaving a site incomplete or the company ceasing to trade."

The Minister said: "While progress is being made to reduce the backlog of unadopted developments across the north, I am concerned that a number of home-owners have been left in an unacceptable position by some developers where roads and water infrastructure has not been completed to the correct standard and remain unadopted.

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"The responsibility to bring a development to an adoptable standard rests squarely with the developer. It is important to note that 92% of housing developments are completed with relatively few issues enabling adoption into the road and sewer network.

"According to our records 839 developments remain unadopted, which is a major concern for me. Unfortunately, some of these have been left for decades without full adoption and these are the most difficult to address without additional funding because in most of these cases the developer is no longer trading."

He continued: "When necessary, my Department takes enforcement action to ensure property developers fulfil their legal obligations. 

"Last year, to reduce the risk to home buyers, I approved a bond calculation rate increase to help ensure funds are available to the Department should we need to step in and complete the roads infrastructure. 

"Furthermore, my Department has consulted on an increase to Private Street fees charged to developers which when introduced will help fund a more proactive approach to inspection and management of adoption process.

"I will continue to build on the progress that has been made to date and I will work with NI Water and Executive colleagues and local councils  to identify any further potential improvements to the development adoption process".