Renovation works have begun on sixteen privately owned homes in Upperlands, one of Ireland's oldest linen villages.

The £230,000 scheme is being carried out by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).

NIHE's Director of Design and Property Services, Dr John McPeake, said the terraced properties in Boyne Row in Upperlands would undergo a substantial range of external repair work.

This includes repairs to brick and stone work, roofs, chimneys, doors, windows and upgrading the level of insulation in the properties.

Works are being carried out under the Group Repair Strategy, which allows NIHE to assist owners of older properties to improve the outside of their homes.

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The project is tasked with maintaining the appearance and character of the Upperlands homes, which are located in a designated Area of Townscape Character by Planning Service.

The properties, which are also listed Grade B2 by Environment and Heritage Service, were identified by NIHE's Grants Department as meeting the criteria for the Group Repair initiative.

The scheme should ensure that the key elements of the external fabric of the properties will require minimal maintenance for the next 30 years.

Dr McPeake said: "As an organisation we remain committed to revitalising rural communities and working with others to assist in rural development.

"Good housing contributes to the regeneration of rural communities and we are delighted that, through this Group Repair scheme, we are helping the residents of Boyne Row to improve the exterior of their homes."

Urging other private dwellers to seek grants, he added: "I would like to thank the residents and landlords for their co-operation and willingness to work with us during the planning stages of the scheme."

The contract has been awarded to JDC Joinery & Building Works from Cookstown, with the project expected to be complete by next spring.

(PR/JM)