SOCIAL HOUSING
L-R: Damian Murray, GEDA Director of Construction; Nicole Lappin, Board Chair, and Grainia Long, Chief Executive, NIHE, and Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons.
AIMING TO SET THE FUTURE STANDARD FOR SOCIAL HOUSING, THE SIX SEMI- DETACHED HOMES HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED USING MODERN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION AND PASSIVHAUS ULTRA-LOW ENERGY BUILDING TECHNIQUES…
Housing Executive unveils its first new-build homes in 25 years
A new energy-efficient social housing development has been completed in north Belfast, representing the first new-build homes delivered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) in 25 years. Aiming to set the standard for social housing of the future, the six semi- detached homes have been built in Sunningdale Gardens using modern methods of construction and ultra-low- energy PassivHaus building techniques. Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons viewed the new energy-efficient homes, delivered by contractor GEDA to a standard exceeding current NI building regulations, at an event on September 19. The Minister joined new tenants, the NIHE Board chair and GEDA’s director of construction to visit the recently completed housing development. During a tour of the new houses, those attending saw firsthand the energy-
efficient features that will ensure comfortable, future-proofed homes with lower heating bills for tenants. The first Sunningdale tenants have already moved into their new homes. Damian Murray, GEDA Director of Construction, 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.” Nicole Lappin, NIHE Board Chair, said, “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.
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