One of Northern Ireland’s leading private and social house builders, The Braidwater Group, this week held community consultation events in relation to its plans to build approximately 690 social and affordable houses on a significant 85 acre site on the Glen Road in Belfast, known as ‘Glenmona’.
The community consultation events were an excellent opportunity for local people to have their say
Braidwater’s vision for Glenmona is to create a new mixed-use urban village with a variety of social and affordable housing, along with a mix of commercial and community facilities supported by extensive public transport linkages.
The community consultation was an opportunity for local residents and stakeholders to find out more about the plans for the site, as well as provide feedback ahead of a planning application being submitted in early 2020.
The consultation events took place at the Glenowen Inn on Tuesday 3rd December, Gort Na Mona GAA Club on Wednesday 4th December and St Theresa’s Primary School on Thursday 5 December 2019.
Situated on the western outskirts of the city, Glenmona comprises a substantial block of largely undeveloped land that benefits from outline planning consent for mixed use development including residential units, retail space, support/care homes, employment and educational uses.
The lands enjoy a gentle incline rising from the Glen Road towards the Upper Springfield Road resulting in much of the site having panoramic views over Belfast and beyond to open countryside including the Mourne Mountains.
Located in Eglinton and with operations throughout Northern Ireland, The Braidwater Group has over 40 years’ experience in the industry. The company currently has eight ‘live’ developments with close to 1,000 private and social homes in construction throughout Northern Ireland.
Apex Housing Association will be responsible for the management of the completed social rented homes and also provide affordable housing for sale to first time buyers or people who are currently not in home ownership.
Glenmona cements The Braidwater Group’s presence in Belfast, with further plans to be revealed soon.
Finbarr Grogan, planning and technical director of The Braidwater Group, said:
“Braidwater is currently working with our team of consultants to prepare the planning application for approximately 690 new homes at Glenmona, West Belfast.
The first pre application discussions with Planning Service and Statutory Consultees took place on the 13th September. We hope to sign up to a Planning Performance Agreement with Belfast City Council in order to ensure the planning application can be processed smoothly, with the proposed project timetable and milestone dates agreed in advance.’’
‘’This week’s community consultation was an excellent opportunity for local people to find out more information and speak to our team directly. This engagement is important to ensure our plans are well understood and aligned to community needs.
“Glenmona represents a significant investment in West Belfast and cements our position as a leading housing provider in the city. Delivery of this scheme will go some way to meeting the extensive demand for housing in the area.”
He added: “We estimate that we will obtain planning approval in September 2020 and we hope to commence building in late 2020.”