A major construction milestone has been reached at Black Ridge (Glenmona), the transformative residential development on Glen Road, Belfast, with the official completion and handover of its 200th home.

Work on the expansive 75-acre site began in early 2021 and continues to advance toward the goal of delivering more than 650 high-quality social and affordable homes. As one of Northern Ireland's largest and most ambitious housing projects, Black Ridge is being developed into a mixed-use urban village. The project is being delivered by Apex Housing Association (Apex) in partnership with BW Social Affordable Housing, a member of The Braidwater Group.

Designed to foster a sustainable community, the Black Ridge masterplan extends beyond housing to include a modern community centre with a multi-use games area (MUGA), two purpose-built care homes, a retail centre, a hotel, and several children's play parks.

The development is situated on a previously underutilised hillside site stretching from Glen Road to Upper Springfield Road. This location provides residents with panoramic views across Belfast and the Mourne Mountains, combining city connectivity with natural surroundings.

-- Advertisement --

The Braidwater Group, headquartered in Eglinton, brings over 50 years of experience to the project. Speaking on the milestone, Chief Operating Officer Ryan Boyle said: "Reaching our 200th completion at Black Ridge marks a significant milestone and reflects the dedication and professionalism of our on-site and support teams. As Northern Ireland's largest active housing development, it demands resilience and long-term commitment. Many staff travel substantial distances daily to maintain exceptional standards, and we are very appreciative of that as we deliver much-needed, high-quality homes to the area."

He added: "Beyond providing much-needed housing, Black Ridge continues to generate substantial economic and social value. The development supports hundreds of direct and indirect jobs across the local construction sector, and through our 'Buy Social' programme we are creating real opportunities for apprentices, school leavers, long-term unemployed individuals and professional trainees."

Barry Kerr, Apex's Executive Director of Development, also commented on the importance of the progress: "The delivery of 200 homes at Black Ridge is a major achievement and showcases the meaningful progress being made on this transformative development. Each new home handed over is making a real difference to families in west Belfast. The scale and ambition of Black Ridge mean it will continue to play a vital role in meeting the significant demand for social and affordable housing in the area. We are proud to be delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes which people are proud to call home."

The £102 million project is funded through a combination of £52.4 million in Housing Association Grant funding from the Department for Communities and £49.4 million in private finance investment from Apex Housing Association.