The 'winds of change' are blowing new life into a Newtownards housing estate, following an additional £1.6m investment by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Renovations will be carried out on properties in the Westwinds Estate as part of a major £10m improvement scheme, which has now entered its third phase.

District Manager Owen Brady recently visited John McMillan in Dakota Avenue to welcome him back home following completion of renovation work to his bungalow.

Mr McMillan said he is delighted with the renovations that have been carried out.

"The improvements are wonderful. I now have two bedrooms, a much larger and modern kitchen, a new bathroom, new doors, double glazed windows and oil central heating," he said.

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Mr Brady said the £10m regeneration strategy for Westwinds, is currently progressing very well and is expected to be completed during the first half of 2010.

"This phase of improvements will address the problem of unpopular and difficult to let one bedroom bungalows by providing addition bedroom space. We are converting 30 one-bed bungalows into 18 two-bed and three-bed bungalows, as well as refurbishing 22 flats and carrying out environmental works around 28 houses.

"The scheme is also providing individual entrances to ground floor flats together with a new door entry system, to help tackle the problem of antisocial behaviour," he said.

The properties being renovated are located in the Dakota Avenue, Sunderland Park and Bristol Park area of Westwinds.

The Housing Executive is working closely with other statutory and voluntary agencies, and the local community to develop projects that are helping to create a safer community, reduce anti-social behaviour and promote improvements in community involvement, added Mr Brady

(PR/JM)