Approval has been given for a massive new build in west Belfast, with 653 houses, two care homes, and business opportunities.
One of the largest ever applications for residential building in Northern Ireland has been approved, with £95m due to be invested in a new mixed-use urban village between the Glen Road and Upper Springfield Road. The Glenmona area west of the Monagh By-Pass in north west Belfast has been relatively undeveloped, and a 75 acre site will now be developed for residential and business use.
The area will hold a total of 653 new houses (549 social housing and 104 affordable housing units), of which two will be detached, 300 semi detached, 183 terraces, and 168 will be apartments. The application also includes two local care homes, children's play areas, and a multi-use games area for the local community.
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The build will also produce significant new business opportunities, with plans for a modern neighbourhood retail centre, a hotel, and office and business space. The application was submitted by The Braidwater Group, and Apex Housing Association will be responsible for managing the social accomodation and affordable homes when completed.
A statement from The Braidwater Group reads: "This is a crucial time for the construction industry, which is facing pressures from the pandemic and Brexit uncertainty. Today’s approval will serve to provide hundreds of jobs for the local construction industry and the ‘Buy Social’ programme at Glenmona will ensure that job opportunities will be offered to apprentices, long term unemployed, education leavers and professional trainees. We have also focused on sustainability, biodiversity and environmental factors, with plans to retain existing and plant over 10,000 new native species trees, adding to the wooded character that will last into the future."
Artist's impressions of the planned new areas are below:
Source: Written based on press release
