Construction work has officially commenced on Alpha Housing's inaugural development in Whitehead, County Antrim, located in the seaside town's Windsor Avenue area.

The project, scheduled for completion by Spring 2027, will deliver 24 modern apartments designed for individuals, families, and independent older people.

The development will feature a mix of accommodation, including eight one-bedroom apartments, one additional one-bedroom apartment, and three two-bedroom apartments for general use. For independent older people, there will be one one-bedroom Category One apartment, two wheelchair-accessible 'Cat 1' apartments, and nine two-bedroom 'Cat 1' apartments. All units will be built to high standards of insulation to help minimise fuel bills, ensuring safe, secure and sustainable living environments.

The project is being delivered by Alpha Housing in partnership with Martin Property Group, a family-run company established in 1976 with over four decades of experience in real estate investment and development across the UK and Ireland.

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Made possible through grant funding from the Department for Communities (DfC) via the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), the development recently welcomed a site visit from key political and community figures. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA, East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson, and the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Alderman William McCaughey, toured the site with Cameron Watt, Chief Executive of Alpha Housing, and Mike Martin, Group Director at Martin Property Group.

Cameron Watt noted the high-quality, purpose-built accommodation is going to play an important role in helping meet a growing need for affordable homes in Whitehead.

"This new development in Whitehead is a fantastic example of how thoughtful design and partnership working can deliver quality homes that ably meet people's needs," said Cameron.

"Alpha Housing is proud to be investing in Whitehead for the very first time, and we look forward to welcoming new residents here in 2027.

"Partnering with Martin Property Group – a Northern Ireland firm which is one of the UK's leading property and investment companies – we are transforming a brown field site into an attractive development of 24 one, and two, bedroom apartments. In doing so, we are turning a derelict eyesore into a valuable, community asset."

Welcoming the investment, the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Alderman William McCaughey, added: "This marks an exciting milestone as we break ground on this new housing development.

"These state-of-the-art homes will not only help make a difference to housing waiting lists in the area but will also transform this piece land. I look forward to seeing this project progress, building a brighter future for local residents."

The Windsor Avenue development is one of several new Alpha Housing schemes currently under construction around the province, with others including Baronsgrange in Carryduff (£3.2 million), Quarry Heights in Newtownards (£4.8 million), and Edenwood in Omagh (£2.3 million).