Third from left: Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey with Gerry Kelly - CEO of Apex and Martin Doherty - Apex ChairmanApex announce Northern Ireland’s largest social housing project
Apex is undertaking the largest social housing scheme in Northern Ireland in over a decade. The new scheme at Galliagh, Derry~Londonderry, will deliver 197 new family homes and work is due to complete during 2017. On Wednesday, 17 June, the Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA, visited the site to cut the first sod.
The scheme will cost in the region of £22m including land acquisition, construction and associated costs with the Department for Social Development contributing £10m in grants and Apex raising £12m in private finance. Speaking at the site visit, the Minister said:
The new scheme at Skeoge Link Road is the largest undertaken in Northern Ireland for over a decade. This is a major investment for Londonderry and will make major inroads into housing waiting lists in the City.
Everyone deserves somewhere they can call home and Apex Housing Association in Londonderry are doing a tremendous job in delivering social and affordable housing. Today I was able to see some of this excellent work for myself and meet the dedicated people who make it all happen.”
The main contractor for the development is the local firm Kevin Watson Group. During the two year construction phase it is expected that around 250 people will be employed on site.
The housing mix will comprise 134 family homes, 30 family apartments, 32 apartments specifically designed for older people and one wheelchair home.
Gerry Kelly, Chief Executive of Apex said
This is a hugely significant scheme in terms of the positive impact it will make in addressing acute housing need on the west bank of the Foyle and in providing much needed employment for the construction trades.”
