Attwood needs to provide clarity on Housing Executive compensation - Ní Chuilín

Sinn Féin MLA and member of the Social Development Committee, Carál Ní Chuilín, has stated that Alex Attwood needs to provide clarity on whether or not he has made a formal approach to the Office of First and deputy First Minister with regards to a compensation scheme for those Housing Executive tenants who had their property damaged as a result of the severe winter weather over Christmas

"This week Alex Attwood appeared in front of the Social Development committee in order to answer pressing questions on the Housing Executive and its role during the severe winter weather over Christmas," said Ní Chuilín,

"Many people were left for considerable periods with no heating and many more had their homes and furniture damaged by frozen and burst pipes. Hundreds of people were left in appalling conditions over Christmas.

"While at the committee, and subsequently in media reports, the Minster has alluded to the fact that he has contacted both Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson in relation to compensation for those affected giving tenants a hope that something would be resolved and painting the Minster as proactive.

"However it is a great concern to myself and others that, in fact, these approaches have not happened. Is the Minister in it for the media spin, for the kudos of actually looking as if he is working to resolve this issue, building Housing Executive tenants expectations, only to pass the buck to the office of OFMdFM when he finds he cannot deliver?

"At best the Minister is muddled, at worst he has misled the committee and the public. What he needs to o now is come forward and provide immediate clarity on compensation for Housing Executive tenants."

Social housing should be on Nelson Street site - Kelly

After a Sinn Féin delegation met with Planning Service officials in relation to a controversial housing development at Nelson Street, local MLA Gerry Kelly said the community want social housing on the site.

The planning application for a massive housing development on the land which is at the centre of a police investigation was withdrawn from going before a Belfast City Council committee last week to allow for "high level discussions" between planners and the Housing Executive.

Originally the land was earmarked for an entire social housing project and was the subject of negotiations between Clanmil Housing Association, the Department for Social Development, the Housing Executive (HE) and the private landowner until 2006, when it was sold to Big Picture Developments (BPD). The PSNI was called in last year to investigate the Housing Executive's role in the zoning of the land.

The Planning Service recently approved plans to build 238 apartments on a stretch of land at Nelson Street, 181 of which will be private and just 57 social housing.

After a planning application is approved it goes before Belfast City Council's town planning committee who, although they do not have the power to throw out the application, can rule it should be sent back to the planners for further consideration.

However before it went before the committee last Thursday night the Planning Service withdrew the application from the agenda.

North Belfast Sinn Féin MLAs Carál Ní Chuilín and Gerry Kelly and councilor Danny Lavery met with Planning Service officials this week to discuss the developments.
"We are intent that this application be brought back and rethought, it's not what the community want. We do not want private housing on land that should be used for social housing and we told the planners that," said Gerry Kelly.

Praise for concrete move by local businessman

Sinn Féin councillor Gerard McCabe has praised a local businessman who took it upon himself to have an entry in Ardoyne resurfaced.
For years the entry that runs between Ardoyne shops and Balholm Drive has been a dumping ground for all manner of rubbish.

After government agencies refused to take responsibility for the entry a local businessman has resurfaced it, making it easier for business and homes to access the entry and empty bins.

Gerard McCabe said the problems stemmed from no-one taking responsibility for the entry and praised Jim Conlon, owner of The Chip Company, who moved into their new premises at the row of shops recently and has had the entry resurfaced.

“The problem is that it is an unadopted entry meaning no-one has taken responsibility for it. I have been working with Belfast City Council to try and find out who has responsibility for the entry and we will continue to do so,” said Gerard.

“On behalf of the local community we would like to thank Jim Conlon who has taken the initiative to resurface the entry.”

Mater not to be downgraded

Speaking at a meeting of the Mater Hospital Community Forum on Friday (January 21) Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín said there was genuine concern in the community that the Mater Hospital’s accident and emergency unit will be downgraded or even closed.
“There have been fears out there for some time that the Mater's A&E is going to be downgraded to a minor injuries unit, that needs to be clarified,” said Carál during the meeting.

Afterwards the North Belfast MLA said she had been assured that this was not the case.
“We were told categorically by the Chief Executive of the Belfast Trust Colm Donaghy that the Mater Accident and Emergency department will not be downgraded to a minor injuries unit.”
On Sunday, January 19 ambulances were diverted away from the Mater to the Royal Hospital and City Hospital.

Public meeting called to rescue Whitewell play park

Sinn Féin Councillor Mary Ellen Campbell said a small minority of public drinkers were destroying Finlay Park on the lower Whitewell Road and depriving local kids of a much-needed resource in the area.

The equipment was destroyed a number of times last year with Belfast City Council being forced to pay to repair the damaged and burnt play facilities.
The council is now understood to be contemplating not repairing the equipment again because of the repeated vandalism every time it is repaired. Over the past few years thousands of pounds have been spent replacing the play facilities.

"Residents are joining with us to rescue Finlay Park from the hands of a small number of local drinkers that are consistently destroying it," said Mary Ellen.
"We have brought this issue to the attention of police who are ready to make arrests. However the cost of the damage already done is huge and the part of the park under threat is used mostly by local young families.

“I've been contacted by local people appealing for us to join together to rescue this vital leisure service. We are now calling a public meeting to organise all involved in this campaign to rescue our park,” said the Sinn Féin Councillor.

Sinn Féin to meet with Planning body over Nelson Street concerns– Ní Chuilín

Local Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has welcomed the fact that the proposed development in Nelson Street by Big Picture Developments Ltd has been blocked by Belfast City Council however will be meeting with the planning authorities to seek clarity on media reports that planning permission had been granted .

“There are mounting concerns amongst residents and community organisation surrounding the proposed building of over 230 apartments at Nelson Street in North Belfast," said Ní Chuilín who is a member of the Social Development Committee.

“Last week, as the planning authorities put the proposal in front of Belfast City Council, the council saw fit, due to the high number of objections from residents, the Housing Executive and Sinn Féin to block the development yet only yesterday media reports had suggested that planning permission had been granted.

“Obviously this has caused upset to many who thought that the development would revert to the building of 66 family homes under the initial plan for social housing.

“Sinn Féin will be meeting with the planning authorities tomorrow in order to address these concerns. The fact that so many are against this development and are strongly behind keeping the spirit and make up of the local community intact cannot be ignored.

“I would hope that at tomorrows meeting many of the issues surrounding this controversial development can be cleared up.”

Nelson Street Big Picture Development plans must not go ahead – Ní Chuilín

Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast and member of the Social Development Committee, Carál Ní Chuilín has welcomed the fact that the proposed development in Nelson Street by Big Picture Developments Ltd has been blocked by Belfast City Council.


“The proposed development at Nelson Street by Big Picture Developments Ltd is shrouded in controversy. Initially the site was zoned for social housing and there was a plan to build 66 family homes there," said Ní Chuilín.

“It still remains zoned for this purpose but the company behind the plans has radically reduced the social housing element to 20% out of over 230 apartments.

“The initial plan has clearly been turned on its head with the involvement of Big Picture Developments, in residents views to the detriment of the local community and outrage across the board.

“Last week, as the planning authorities put the proposal in front of Belfast City Council, the council saw fit, due to the high number of objections from residents, the Housing Executive and Sinn Féin to block the development.

“This is a welcome development that is only tempered by the fact that the planners may well resubmit the same plans.

“I would urge those behind the development not to do so, to listen to the community and press on with the original social development that the people of North Belfast want.”