North Belfast community must know when Girdwood housing will be built – Gerry Kelly

“I welcome the announcement that 200 social and affordable homes are to be built on the former Girdwood military site,” said Gerry Kelly.

“However, this is a repeat of an announcement made by Margaret Ritchie a considerable time ago, when she was DSD Minister. What people languishing on the housing waiting list in north Belfast really want to know, after eight years, is when exactly will construction on this site begin and finish.

“The steering group for the regeneration of this site, which included the DUP, published a mission statement which put housing as a core requirement, alongside leisure, education and health facilities.

“It is unfortunate that the DUP later reneged on this mission statement.

“If Alex Attwood is not simply electioneering then we need to know when exactly the housing development at Girdwood will begin and be completed.”

DUP reaction to Girdwood housing plans sectarian – Carál Ní Chuilín

Sinn Féin’s Carál Ní Chuilín said the DUP’s reaction to this week’s announcement that 200 social homes are to be built in a nationalist area in North Belfast has brought the party’s sectarianism into full view.

“The DUP veto on equality must be faced down,” said Carál.
“They are blocking all aspects of regeneration for the whole North Belfast community rather than have one single home for a nationalist on Girdwood.”
She also challenged Alex Attwood to follow through on his plans for Girdwood.

“Let me be crystal clear about Sinn Féin's position. We have campaigned for eight years for 200 social and affordable homes on this site and they should be allocated on the basis of need. If Alex Attwood is serious about joining the battle for equality we will back him 100 per cent.”