Camping out for houses

People have been camping since Friday in the hope of buying a house.

They intend to stay until Saturday to secure a home for as little as 30 000. A full week camping outdoors has not put off the crowds. Almost all the campers will be first time buyers if they manage to get their hands on one of the bargain homes. The old army houses at Loughview Estates will be put on sale on Saturday, May 8. There are over 300 houses on sale but only twenty can be bought for the bargain 30 000.

The somewhat bizarre sight of all the people in tents, on fishing chairs, waiting around reading books, chatting and drinking tea from flasks can be seen day or night.

The Brown family from Greysteel have been waiting since Saturday. Heather Brown and brother Barry are hope to buy a house each. Sister Amanda said: "Heather and Barry have gone home to get some rest and get washed so we are keeping their position for them.

"We heard there were 3,000 calls to the agents about these houses but there are just over 300 available so it is definitely worth our while being here. There is no other way for young people to get a house of their own. These are priced within reach of first time buyers and if Heather and Barry get the houses they want on Saturday it will be worth it."

Ricky McLean (23) has been in the queue since Friday and his cousin Stephen McLean is at the front of the queue. He expressed concern about people jumping to the front of line: "I came here on Friday but its not been too bad so far. I hope they organise a system whereby queue jumpers won't be allowed to turn up on Saturday and get the pick of the houses.

"We have organised a system of issuing tickets to try and create a bit of order but that's just something we did, there needs to be something more concrete done."

The houses were bought from the Ministry of Defence by a large firm from Dublin called Merrion Property Group. Loughview Estates announced that the housing development will be released to the market at prices between 30,000 for a two bedroom house and 65,000 for a four bedroom house. They are all either semi-detached or terraced houses.

The development includes a creche area, a play area, a shop and a view of the Lough Foyle. The Ballykelly Forest is right beside the estate and provides a good area for walking and enjoying nature.

At the time of going to press it was estimated that in excess of 150 vehicles were parked along the lay by leading to the former Army homes.