NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has announced a significant boost for housing in west Belfast with the opening of a new development.
Sliabh Dubh is a new £21million social housing development on Belfast’s Springfield Road, and will provide 155 homes.
It has been built on the site of the former JP Corry Builders Merchants Yard, by Fold Housing Association, with part grant aid from the Department for Social Development.
The Minister also visited east Belfast - the NI First Minister Peter Robinson's home constituency - looking at regeneration projects in the area.
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The visit, hosted by the East Belfast Partnership, included projects on the Newtownards Road, Dee Street and Mersey Street.
The Minister also met with key community representatives and focused on work currently being undertaken by the partnership and its members. This included details of the Newtownards Road 2012 Strategy, Connswater Community Greenway Project and a local Tourism Strategy.
Following the visit Minister Ritchie said: "I commend the work of the partnership in tackling disadvantage in areas of East Belfast. I would also like to congratulate the community on their successes in delivering schemes such as the iconic landmark Connswater Community Greenway project.
"This project, and others, can make a real difference to the lives of the people in East Belfast as we take them forward over the coming years."
She continued: "East Belfast Partnership has made a vital contribution to the local community over the past decade. The one common denominator is their commitment to genuine partnership working and it is this commitment that has led to their success.
"The partnership provides real benefits to local people and I am glad I have been able to provide funding to support it."
(BMcC/KMcA)
