New lease of life for Abbey Hill House

The Abbeyville Court development at Shore Road, which included the restoration of the derelict Abbey Hill House building, has six three bedroom houses and four two bedroom apartments.

Abbey Hill House was renovated to provide the four apartments, with the six new build houses now occupying the adjoining grounds. All were provided by Oaklee Homes Group, with part funding from the Northern Ireland Executive.

“I am delighted to see this vacant property brought back into use for the benefit of local families. Along with the development of the adjoining grounds, we now have ten much needed homes for those on the social housing waiting list,” Mr McCausland said.

“Bringing empty homes back into use and addressing blight are two areas that are high on my agenda, with both featuring heavily in my new Housing Strategy. The wastefulness of empty housing is an issue that I hear raised again and again. This new housing project addresses both issues and has made a dramatic and positive impact in this area.

“Oaklee Homes Group is to be congratulated for providing this accommodation in an area that continues to have a high housing need.”

During the visit, the Minister met with several residents who showed him around their new and recently renovated homes.

Oaklee Homes Group Chairman, Timothy Quin, welcomed the Minister to the development, thanking him for the support of DSD and the Housing Executive.

“I would like to wish all the tenants every happiness in their new homes,” he commented.