Assurance over Wellington Green

DUP representatives Sammy Wilson MP and MLA, Norma Allen and Councillor Gordon Lyons have welcomed an assurance by the Housing Executive over the inclusion of Wellington Green in an external maintenance scheme. INLT 20-653-CON

This scheme is also being implemented in Seacourt, Antiville and Sallagh Park estates.

This will mean that the properties will have new windows installed and that the estimated starting date will be February of next year.

Last month, the Times reported that no money has been spent on improvement schemes in the Wellington Green area despite an investment of £18 million in capital improvement schemes at Housing Executive properties in estates such as Craigyhjill, Antiville and Ferris Park during the last two decades.

In a statement, the DUP representatives said: “When we visited the area, a number of householders complained about the inability to heat houses because the fires were not working.

“Coal fires were still the main form of heating in many of the houses in Wellington Green and because of the defects in chimneys, smoke was blowing back into the house, setting off smoke alarms, which either had to be disconnected or else the fire had to be put out. Apart from the impact that this has on the living conditions of the residents, there is a requirement to have proper heating installed in houses.

“We are pleased that the Housing Executive has now accepted that the heating is inadequate and that new heating schemes will be installed, starting in November of this year.

“Individual households will be contacted about when that work will begin.

“This is good news for an area that has had very little money spent on it over the last 30 years, and hopefully, will improve the conditions for the residents who are living in the area.”