Plans to build 252 new homes in the Waterside area of Derry/Londonderry have been granted planning approval by Derry City and Strabane District Council at a meeting of its planning committee on Wednesday afternoon (5 October).
The development site is located on Clooney Road with access from Gransha Roundabout, and will be delivered over the next 3 years by South Bank Square Limited in partnership with Choice Housing Association.
The development plans include a mix of social, affordable and starter homes ranging from one to four bedrooms and will also include new amenities in the form of a woodland walk, children’s play areas, an IT Hub and generous areas of open space.
The approval is for the first phase of a wider housing scheme which will deliver hundreds of new houses, and over £100 million of investment in the area. The development will also bring a significant number of construction jobs to the area over the next 8-10 years.
Martin Mallon, Managing Director of South Bank Square said:
“We are delighted that the Council’s Planning Committee has given approval to our ambitious development plans that will see hundreds of new homes built in the local area. This mixed tenure housing development will provide a range of 1 – 4 bedroom homes and has been designed to include housing for all including social housing, and private housing for sale and rent.
“We would like to thank everyone at the Council and the statutory consultees who worked on the application as well as the the elected representatives for the area and members of the planning committee who have approved the plans. The Derry City & Strabane area has huge untapped potential, and we look forward to playing our part in helping the area to realise that potential.’’
Jon Anderson, Group Director of Development at Choice Housing said:
“Over the past year, we’ve seen the number of applicants on the social housing waiting list increase by 20% in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area alone. Today’s decision allows us to move forward in partnership with South Bank Square to increase the stock of social housing in the city and alleviate high levels of housing stress.
“As well as meeting the urgent local housing demands, the proposals include affordable / starter homes and good quality private rented opportunities for families and people of all ages. A play park, green spaces and an IT hub will make the development an accessible and attractive place to live.
“With planning permission now secured, we hope to move ahead with construction to provide much-needed housing as soon as possible.”
