MLA voices concern over plans for Gregg House

Lagan Valley MLA Edwin Poots has described plans to remove the common room at Gregg House in Lisburn as 'a further step in the wrong direction' for the facility.
Gregg House, Lisburn. Pic by GoogleGregg House, Lisburn. Pic by Google
Gregg House, Lisburn. Pic by Google

Notification was sent the tenants last week that the Housing Executive intends to convert a common room into a flat, in spite of the fact that this room is used by residents in Gregg House for events, social occasions and meetings,” the DUP man explained.

Mr Poots said that in the past the facility had been used “almost exclusively for housing older people”, but that in recent years it was being used more as “general accommodation”, making it “less friendly for the older community” who live there.

“We have requested an urgent meeting with the Housing Executive on behalf of the residents and I will continue to press for the retention of the common room and also the restoration of Gregg House as a facility for over 55s only,” he commented.

A Housing Executive spokesperson said the South Eastern Trust rented a room in Gregg House as a community facility for a considerable number of years, but confirmed that that arrangement has now ended following consultation with residents.

“Meetings have been arranged with local representatives to discuss future service and one option under consideration is reverting this room to accommodation to help meet local housing need,” the NIHE spokesperson said.