Tenants living on Belfast's Lower Falls area are to get new kitchens, as part of a £275,000 scheme by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, it has been announced.

The 71 homes are a mixture of two and three storey houses, bungalows and flats, which were all built between 1982 and 1988.

As part of the scheme the kitchen layout will be improved to provide additional space for kitchen appliances.

Electrical and plumbing installations will be upgraded and new floor covering and mechanical extract fans will be provided.

The kitchens are being installed under our new EGAN style approach to planned maintenance.

-- Advertisement --

This means the contractor will be working more closely with tenants to ensure a higher quality service.

Gary Ballantyne, West Belfast District Manager, said: "One of the Housing Executive's core functions as a landlord is the planned maintenance service.

"This new contract requires high performance standards from the contractor, and performance will be monitored closely and assessed on a regular basis.

"The contractor will be aiming for zero defects and, with the appointment of the Tenant Liaison Officer to work closely with the Housing Executive staff and tenants, this should be achieved."

Sean McCaughan, of contractors PK Murphy Construction Ltd, said: "We are very glad to be completing the kitchen replacements in the Lower Falls area, and will ensure that the work carried out will be done so in liaison with tenants and to the highest standards.

"This scheme of work not only reassures our workforce but will reassure those who work throughout the different aspects of the construction industry," he added.

(PR/JM)