NIHE explains Ballykeel kitchen scheme delay

A spokesperson for NIHE told The Ballymena Times: “This scheme has not been cancelled. Ballykeel 2 Phase 2 kitchens is ongoing.

“All properties included in a scheme must have had asbestos surveys carried out before the scheme starts. This is why it was necessary to remove 80 properties at this stage.

“We will endeavour to have these properties surveyed at the earliest possible time so they can be added to a later scheme,” he added.

Earlier this month, Ballymena SF councillor Paul Maguire and North Antrim SF MLA, Daithí McKay met with the district manager of NI Housing Executive to discuss the kitchen replacement scheme.

Cllr Maguire said: “I was contacted by a resident of Ballykeel 2 who explained that she had been told that her kitchen was to be replaced and in preparation for the work, she had stripped the wallpaper off the walls and cleared the kitchen out.

“Soon afterwards she received notice that the work had been cancelled as an asbestos survey needed to be done on the property before any work could commence. I contacted the local housing manager and arranged a meeting for myself and Daithí McKay, MLA.

“We were told that, on the basis of guidance from the Health and Safety Executive, the Housing Executive has recently changed its policy on the management of asbestos. They have been advised that prior to the commencement of any scheme work, an asbestos survey must be carried out on every property, without exception.”

Mr Maguire added: ““The implementation of this policy has meant that properties without asbestos surveys had to be removed from a number of schemes that were at an advanced stage of the planning process. Some of these properties and their tenants had already been subject to consultation.

“Previously, NIHE were able to proceed with a sample survey based on the various house types, which meant some kitchens in Ballykeel had been replaced, prior to the change in policy.”

Cllr Maguire said he, and Mr McKay, asked for an assurance that the funding set aside for the Ballykeel scheme would be ring-fenced and the delay limited to the length of time it takes to complete the asbestos surveys.

“Unfortunately NIHE said they cannot confirm when the required asbestos surveys will be carried out and therefore it will be necessary to add the 80 homes to a subsequent planned maintenance scheme when the necessary surveys can be undertaken,” said Mr Maguire.

He added: “The situation is wholly unacceptable and Ballykeel tenants are now facing Christmas in kitchens with bare walls. I have written to the NIHE Director of Housing and Regeneration and requested that the surveys are done immediately and the kitchen replacement scheme re-instated without delay.”