New Derry housing development set to welcome new tenants next month

By Alan Healy Deputy Editor

A new social housing project comprising of almost 80 new homes will welcome its first tenants at the end of next month, the Derry News has learned.

The 76 new homes are being constructed by the Clanmil Housing Group at the Northland Road, comprising of 37 two-bed apartments, 10 three-bed houses and four two-bedroom houses.

The new development, adjacent to the First Source call centre, also includes 15 one-bedroom apartments and 10 two-bed apartments for the ‘active elderly’.

The scheme had been scheduled to be complete by the winter of last year, however, that has been delayed due to what Clanmil Housing Group described as ‘unforeseen issues’ during the construction.

In October of last year, Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Environment and Regeneration Committee agreed to a request from the developer to name the houses at the site ‘Balliniska Avenue’ and ‘Balliniska Heights’ for the apartments as they retain the name of the former townland of Balliniska where the site is located.

Clanmil has now confirmed that despite the setbacks, the new homes will welcome their first tenants at the end of next month.

“We are currently building 76 much needed new homes at our site on Northland Road,” the spokesperson said.

“The development, now known as Balliniska Heights and Balliniska Avenue, is scheduled for completion by the end of May 2018 following an extension to the contract period as a result of unforeseen issues that arose on site during construction.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming the first tenants to their new homes towards the end of April and expect all of the homes to be occupied by early June.”