Regeneration for Belfast's Village area

Published Thursday, 09 June 2011

Forty houses have been demolished in the Village area of south Belfast as part of regeneration plans for the area.

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The houses in the lower Rockview Street area, close to the Donegall Road, will be replaced by a new phase of 36 new homes later this year.

Speaking at the demolition, Housing Minister Nelson McCausland said: "Through its very name the Village has been an important community area in Belfast for many years.

"Unfortunately, the worsening housing conditions over those years led to the declaration of the Village as a redevelopment area.

"Over coming years I am confident the Village will become attractive again and people will want to live and bring up their families here."

Housing Executive Chairman Brian Rowntree welcomed the demolitions saying: "This is a good day for residents and will allow the regeneration of the Village to begin in earnest.

"Our proposals will not only address poor housing conditions in the area but will provide a balanced approach to the retention and improvement of existing housing as well as the provision of new build housing."

Comments

6 Comments

Peter in Armagh wrote (349 days ago):

Are these traditional houses and historic street patterns to be replaced by loyalist stronghold cul-de-sacs as elsewhere in south and north Belfast? There has been a violent campaign going on for years to keep non-loyalists (Catholics, Asians, Eastern Europeans, Africans, students) out of large parts of south Belfast. Then I see who is behind this.

Villager in Belfast wrote (350 days ago):

Sad fact is that as with the other new houses in the area they will go to the people who deserve them least, the benefit cheats and work shy of the area. If you want one of these houses i reckon if you quit your job and invent some back pain you'll be top of the list. If you wanna work for a living and provide for your family either move to a cheaper area to rent or live on the poverty line!

Guilpin in earth wrote (350 days ago):

Let's hope they build quality social housing and not not quality private housing!

joe in South Belfast wrote (350 days ago):

Norman is right, its a disgrace! The whole village needs to be demolished, not just half of it! What a mess, and if the Monarch area hadn't been "SLIPPED IN" at the last minute, ALL the village would have been done. The new development minister needs to do something, and do it quick, otherwise there will be no community left.

Steven in The Village wrote (350 days ago):

About time, Our people are living like rats. Having to hide from the hoods that are running about, Breaking into house's, Stealing lead of houses ppl are still living in Thanks to the PSNI There have been a few charged. But it dosent cure the pain the ppl have to live with afterwords.

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