Delays on housing projects ‘unacceptable’ – Kelly

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has called on the Department for Social Development to give the green light to three North Belfast housing projects, one of which has been delayed for more than a decade.
Mr Kelly made his call following a meeting with Housing Executive Chief Paddy McIntyre last Friday morning.
“I and party colleagues Carál Ní Chuilín and Shauneen Baker met with Paddy McIntyre to tackle a wide range of housing issues affecting North Belfast," said Gerry Kelly.
“We have called for a decision to be made immediately to redevelop the New Lodge’s Long Streets.
“The Housing Executive says it is still waiting for a decision from the Department of Social Development before the green light can be given to a redevelopment scheme.
“This is simply not good enough. The people of the Upper Long Streets have been waiting almost a decade for redevelopment.
“I call on DSD minister Margaret Ritchie to move this on as a matter of urgency.
"She told the residents of the Long Streets when she came into office almost two years ago that they would have a decision within months.
"We seem to be no closer to that decision today than we were in 2007.”
Gerry Kelly also pressed the Executive to start work on the redevelopment of Parkside.
“Conditions for the remaining residents in Parkside continue to deteriorate and the Executive said that work could begin quickly there if the DSD gives the go ahead.
“This is also the case with work which should have started by now on cladding for the New Lodge’s Seven Towers.
“The cladding was approved in response to the blight of dampness in the flats.
"No one, especially children and the elderly, should be expected to live in these conditions in this day and age and it is unacceptable for the minister to delay the work even a day longer.”
During Friday’s meeting the Sinn Féin representatives also raised the issue of ‘hot spots’ in areas which have had a problem with anti-social behaviour.
“We have made it clear to the Executive that it is must play a key role in the multi-agency meetings being held to tackle issues around anti-social behaviour and addressing the needs of local residents.”