28 June 2000

NIGEL DODDS OPENS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

A £1.2 million housing association development in the Woodvale area of Belfast was officially opened today by the Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds MLA.

The 25-unit development Cambrai Court was built on the site of the former Woodvale Primary School by the Woodvale and Shankill Housing Association which provides accommodation for families, single people and the elderly.

The Minister, who is the Assembly Member for the area, congratulated the Association in its work in an area recognised as suffering from grave housing stress. He said: "I am delighted to be here today to see this excellent new accommodation. I would like to thank the association for the work it is doing to counteract the depressing trend of some years ago of bricking up houses in the Woodvale area.

"Their work, both in rehabilitation and new build, has help to restore the townscape and to provide much-needed housing for groups of people in the greatest need."

During the opening the guests were entertained by the Spring Hill Country Dance Group and the Minister inspected local history exhibits after a tour of the new apartments.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The Cambrai Court development cost a total of £1.2 million, of which £867,000 was provided by the Department for Social Development through Housing Association Grant with the remainder funded by the Association by private borrowing.