136 homes get green light for former Barracks site

A planning application for 136 social housing and affordable properties was given the go-ahead at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday morning, writes Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.
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The new properties will be comprised of 104 detached and semi-detached houses and 32 apartments in four blocks. Access will be provided at Demesne Avenue and a new northern link road with a play area at the Demesne Avenue entrance.

The £20m development by Radius Housing has been proposed at the site which was left vacant by the Royal Irish Regiment and forms a key part of the wider St Patrick’s Barracks “masterplan”.

One objection to the proposal was received in relation to the need for social housing, impact on local services and “insufficient” public consultation.

The meeting heard that the council would incur part of the cost of drainage.

The housing development is part of a regeneration plan for the overall site which will include a new leisure centre.

Commenting on the project previously, Anita Conway, Director of Development at Radius Housing, said: “Radius Housing is delighted to be involved in this large housing led strategic project which we believe will positively benefit the Ballymena community and beyond.”

Half of the housing cost will be funded by the Department for Communities and the remainder through private finance raised by Radius.

The scheme is part of the NI Executive’s draft Programme for Government Shared Housing Programme ‘Housing for All’.

Radius Housing, which manages more than 13,000 homes in Northern Ireland and aims to construct more than 400 new social and affordable homes every year.