Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons, got his first glimpse of Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s new energy efficient homes in Sunningdale Gardens today, 19th September.
Caption: Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons (right) joined Housing Executive Chief Executive Grainia Long (second right), Housing Executive Chair Nicole Lappin (second left) and GEDA’s Director of Construction Damian Murray as six, brand new homes, the first built by the housing body in a generation, are readied for allocation to tenants in north Belfast. The new, semi-detached homes have been built using Modern Methods of Construction and ultra-low energy building techniques to PassivHaus standard and serve as a blueprint for future, local social housing.
The first housing scheme delivered by the Housing Executive in 25 years sets the standard for social housing of the future, with six semi-detached homes built using Modern Methods of Construction and ultra-low energy building techniques to PassivHaus standard.
Delivered by construction company GEDA the homes have been built to a standard beyond that of current building regulations in Northern Ireland.
The Minister joined new tenants, Chair of NIHE Board, Nicole Lappin and GEDA’s Director of Construction, Damian Murray to visit the recently completed state-of-the-art housing development.
During a tour of the new houses, those attending saw first-hand the energy efficient features that will ensure comfortable, future proofed homes with lower heating bills for tenants.
The first Sunningdale tenants will be moving into their new homes over the coming days.
Looking forward to the move, new tenant Jacqueline Lowry said: “We are so excited to move into our new home and join the community in Sunningdale.
“This house will make a huge difference for my family.
“I am looking forward to learning how to make the most of all the energy efficient measures within the house.”
Following a tour of the homes and after speaking to the new tenants, Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons, commented: “This is not just the Housing Executive delivering new homes, it is the Housing Executive leading and innovating for Northern Ireland.
“The Modern Methods of Construction approach and the PassivHaus standard that NIHE has achieved will together bring learning for the whole social housing sector here.
“I commend all those involved in this development and wish the residents every happiness in their new homes.”
Housing Executive Chair, Nicole Lappin, added: “We are delighted to provide our tenants with high quality, comfortable and energy-efficient homes in a community with high social housing need.
“As the strategic housing authority for Northern Ireland, it is our role to influence the future of social housing and with Sunningdale we are demonstrating what estates and housing developments can look like in the years to come.
“At the outset of this pilot project our aim was not just to build new homes for our tenants for the first time in a generation but to build future-proofed homes with energy efficient measures that will stand the test of time.
“The ultra-low energy building methods used to construct these houses means that our tenants will now benefit from improved energy efficiency and a reduction in carbon emissions, lower heating bills, savings from reduced fuel costs and more comfortable homes.”
Reflecting on the construction of the homes, GEDA’s Director of Construction Damian Murray said: “We are pleased to have successfully delivered PassivHaus standards at Sunningdale Gardens on behalf of Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
“To be part of a modern social housing project in collaboration with our valued client has allowed GEDA to deliver much needed high quality, energy efficient homes within the local community.
“We are proud of how the Belfast project has developed over the past few months and feel it has truly been a great experience, working in partnership with NIHE on their first housing project in 25 years.
“We would like to thank the entire project team for their hard work and dedication on delivering another successful PassivHaus Scheme”.
