Housing Minister Margaret Ritchie has officially cut the first sod at a new housing scheme in Newtownbreda.

The Oaklee Housing Association development at Breda Park received £4.3m from the Department for Social Development.

In total 22 two bedroom apartments for active older people and 12 two and three bedroom family houses will be provided.

Construction by Geda Construction is about to get underway, with completion planned for August 2010.

-- Advertisement --

Designed to Lifetime Homes standard, the homes can be easily adapted as residents' physical circumstances change.

The properties will all be built to Level three of the Code for Sustainable Homes, which ensures a high level of energy efficiency.

Minister Ritchie said: "This scheme will provide state of the art apartment accommodation for people over 55 years of age, alongside family housing. All will be able to take advantage of an array of energy saving, design and security features.

"The delivery of highly efficient and sustainable social housing is a key priority for me, particularly in these times of high energy costs. I wish the future residents well and am sure they will appreciate their safe, energy efficient homes."