Boost for Heights area as plans reveal 67 new homes

Fold Housing has revealed that they have purchased the land, just off Pates Lane, and will build a total of 24 homes on the site, once owned by the Sweeney family.

Work is due to commence on the site later this month, with a proposed completion date of June 2017.

The properties will include three one bedroom apartments, 14 two bedroom apartments, four two bedroom homes and three three bedroom homes.

A spokesperson for Fold Housing told The Times: “The association received planning for this scheme in September 2015.

“We hope to go on site at the end of November, subject to NIHE approval.

“The building contract period is 18 months, so we are hoping that completion would be June 2017.”

The Housing body has also revealed two other schemes in the Heights area, that will bring see an additional 40 homes.

The site at the former Army Base at Laurel Hill, which has been left unfinished by a previous developer, has been bought over by Fold Housing.

A total of 28 units - 12 two bedroom apartments, six two bedroom homes and ten three bedroom homes, will be built at the site, with work due to start before the end of the year.

Another scheme, at Captain Street Upper will see a project comprising of 15 new apartments.

Fold Housing is already on site in two other projects in Coleraine.

In Coleraine town centre, the site of the former Palladium cinema, at Society Street, will be transformed into 22 apartments.

And work has already been completed on five new apartments at Mountsandel Road.

SDLP councillor Stephanie Quigley said that the housing projects are much needed in the area.

“The core of my work is in social housing,” said the SDLP woman.

“I know the need for social housing in the Coleraine area and beyond. I am so pleased that these projects are coming to fruition and that they will bring a good mix of housing to the area.

“I have known about the Hazelbank Road project for some time, and I know that there has been some problems with planning and developers, so I am so pleased that the work will start very soon.

“I really think that this project will be a great boost to the area.”

“Any developments that Fold build are of a very high standard, almost like turnkey homes.

“I look forward to working them on other projects throughout the area,” said the Coleraine councillor.