Announcement Of Skeoge Project, Derry – 9 December 2009

Ladies and gentlemen - good morning.

I should like to begin by thanking Billy and the Board of Fold Housing Association for facilitating this announcement about Skeoge and wider housing investment in Derry.

We all know that the Skeoge project has been a long time in the making and of course has had a difficult transition from design and build to traditional tendering.

However, the good news is that it is now all systems go and I congratulate Fold for getting the scheme to a point where we can end the uncertainty, with planning, funding and project approval all in place.    

Derry has long suffered from high levels of housing stress, with sites difficult to source. It was therefore timely to learn that Planning Service was able to approve this site and I welcome the support of my Executive colleague, the Environment Minister, for making this happen.

Earlier this morning I visited Dove Gardens to launch 63 houses for North and West Housing. Your scheme at Skeoge will see 124 houses starting before the end of the financial year. This represents a total funding package of over £23 million for 187 new homes.

Some have questioned my commitment to housing in Derry. Let today’s announcement leave no one in any doubt of my desire to deliver new houses for those in need across the City.

I am therefore delighted to be announcing this long awaited package of good news for Derry. These high quality developments, along with others in the pipeline, will make major inroads into housing waiting lists and will help stimulate and drive forward the physical and environmental regeneration of this part of the region.

And, as an added bonus, in addition to providing much needed new energy efficient housing, this significant investment by my Department will be a major boost to the beleaguered construction industry, not only in the North West, but much further afield.

I look forward to seeing the Skeoge development now get underway. This year I plan to deliver 1,750 new homes across the North, the largest number in over a decade. These 124 houses in Skeoge alone will make a valuable contribution towards that total.

Thank you for all your efforts in making this possible.