Oaklee Homes Group opens a new scheme in Newtownabbey - Abbeyville Court

The former derelict Abbey Hill House in Newtownabbey has undergone a transformation as part of a new £1.1 million family housing scheme.

The new development of six houses and four apartments at Abbeyville Court, have been officially opened by Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland.

Abbey Hill House was renovated to provide four apartments and six new build houses now occupy the adjoining grounds. All were provided by Oaklee Homes Group, with part funding from the Northern Ireland Executive.

Minister McCausland said:

“I am delighted to see this vacant property brought back into use for the benefit of local families. Along with the development of the adjoining grounds, we now have ten much needed, energy efficient homes for those on the social housing waiting list.”

“Bringing empty homes back into use and addressing blight are two areas that are high on my agenda. They feature heavily in my new Housing Strategy. The wastefulness of empty housing is an issue that I hear raised again and again. This new housing project addresses both issues and has made a dramatic and positive impact on this main route into Carrickfergus.”

“Oaklee Homes Group is to be congratulated for providing this accommodation in an area that continues to have a high housing need.”           

The two and three bedroom properties have all been built to high energy efficiency levels and include a range of eco features fitted as standard. All are doubled glazed and are heated by gas. The houses have roof solar panels fitted to assist water heating and rainwater butts have been supplied to re-cycle water runoff.

During the visit the Minister met Mr and Mrs Maher and Mr and Mrs McDonald who showed him around their new and recently renovated homes.

Oaklee Homes Group Chair, Timothy Quin, welcomed the Minister and thanked him for his support. He said:  

“Oaklee are celebrating working together with our new partners in SHAC Housing Association. This site reflects SHAC’s original work providing student accommodation. However over time this need has changed due to the growth of housing on campus or city centre private rentals.

The scheme provides four apartments and six modern houses built to Code Level 3 sustainable homes and lifetime standards. The houses include renewable technology with solar water-heating panels on the roof. We hugely appreciate the work of all the firms in the design team, very ably led by Todd Architects, and the quality of the finished product provided by M J McBride Construction Limited.  May I also express our sincere appreciation for the ongoing support we have received from the DSD and the Housing Executive.

Finally, we wish all the tenants every happiness in their new homes.”

-ENDS- 

Note to Editors:

1.  Oaklee Homes Group is one of Northern Ireland’s leading housing associations with some 4,500 homes for rent.

2. This scheme of six houses and four apartments cost £1.1million, including land, construction costs and associated on costs. The Department for Social Development funded £700k through the Housing Executive, with £400k funded by Oaklee Homes Group through private financing.