10-unit social housing development proposed for vacant site in Newtownabbey

The proposal is for ten units, nine two-bedroom and one one-bedroom wheelchair accessible dwellings in one apartment block with parking and landscaping.

The application was submitted by an agent on behalf of S4S Developments Ltd, Dungannon. The proposed site is vacant and formerly the location of a maintenance building which belonged to the Education Authority but is now demolished.

A design and access statement accompanying the application says: “The proposal is for a new housing development which will regenerate a currently under-utilised brownfield site.

“The mix of housing has been designed to support the local resident population and meet the recognised need for housing in the area. The site offers a real opportunity to deliver a well-considered development that seeks to cater for the local community needs.”

A letter submitted to planning department by the NI Housing Executive (NIHE) says: “The five-year (2023-28) projected social housing need for Whiteabbey has been assessed at 73 units.”

The NIHE reported there were 165 applicants on the waiting list in the Whiteabbey area, last December. Of these, 80 were single, 42, small families, 12 large families, 23 older people and fewer than ten others. A total of 132 were in housing stress. However, it was noted there were just 18 allocations to single applicants, small families, large families and older people. The NIHE says that 1,229 new social housing units are needed in the borough during the next five years.