Sod Cutting At Bass Brewery Site – 10 December 2009

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen - good morning.

I should like to begin by thanking Joan and the Board of Clanmil Housing for inviting me along today to help launch this major new housing development on the former Bass Brewery Site.

The provision of 166 new social houses on one plot is a magnificent achievement. You are all to be congratulated for identifying the potential of the site and for bringing forward plans to bring it back to life.   

Last month, as part of the ‘Glen 10’ initiative, I announced the potential to create a new neighbourhood in West Belfast, based around the Glen Road and the Monagh By Pass. This new mixed use development, with residential, office and retail accommodation, is exactly what will help to make this new neighbourhood a reality.

This site, along with other strategic developments, will help establish an identity and sense of place, and will address some of the longstanding inequalities that exist in this part of the City. Whilst major private sector investment has facilitated the renaissance of the City Centre, there is little evidence, so far, that this has spilled over into West Belfast.

I am therefore delighted to announce this large scale, good news package for West Belfast. The total cost of this one housing investment is in the region of £25 million and I am pleased to be associated with the £18 million contribution my Department is making towards the overall scheme cost.

New housing here will not only make major inroads into waiting lists, but will also help stimulate and drive forward the physical and environmental regeneration, so long desired in this part of Belfast.

And, given Clanmil’s status as one of our leading, and need I remind you, award winning, housing associations, it comes as no surprise that you have had the foresight to introduce appropriate employment opportunities on site. This will be of tremendous benefit in one of our most socially disadvantaged areas.  

As Minister, also with responsibility for regeneration, I certainly welcome the stimulus that this new housing will provide to the immediate area.    

I now look forward to seeing work on the Bass Brewery Site get underway. This year and next, the New Housing Agenda will deliver the highest number of new build social houses for over a decade. These 166 houses will make a tremendous contribution towards that total. But more importantly, it will help a considerably greater number of individuals, move from the waiting list into a new and exciting flagship development, where they can realise the benefits of this new neighbourhood area.   

Thank you all for your efforts in making this possible.