The first sector of 93 homes is now complete at The Braidwater Group’s Black Ridge (Glenmona) site on the Glen Road in Belfast, marking another major milestone in the development’s history.
Pictured receiving the keys to their new home are Nicola Campbell and her family, along with Ryan Tannahill, Braidwater Group, Harry Dyer, Apex and Gareth Gamble, Braidwater Group.
Black Ridge – one of the largest housing developments in Northern Ireland, is a new mixed-use urban village developed by Apex Housing Association (Apex) under the guidance of leading house builder BW Social Affordable Housing – part of the Braidwater Group.
Work first commenced on the site early in 2021 and the development will mature with over 650 social dwellings on the 75-acre site in the west of Belfast.
Along with the homes, the development will see a community centre with MUGA (multi-use games area) pitch, two care homes, a neighbourhood retail centre, a hotel and a number of children’s play areas.
Black Ridge is being constructed in a largely undeveloped parcel of land that rises from the Glen Road towards the Upper Springfield Road and the site also boasts panoramic views over the magnificent city of Belfast and beyond to open countryside including the superb picturesque backdrop of the Mourne Mountains.
Headquartered in Eglinton and with developments throughout Northern Ireland, The Braidwater Group has close to 50 years’ experience in the building and development industry, and speaking this week, Ryan Boyle, Chief Operating Officer said:
‘The completion of sector one at Black Ridge marks a significant milestone for the development and we’re delighted with the progress onsite to date.’
Ryan continued: ‘Black Ridge continues to provide hundreds of direct and indirect jobs for the local construction industry and the ‘Buy Social’ programme is ensuring there are job opportunities for apprentices, long-term unemployed, education leavers and professional trainees.
‘We have also focused on sustainability, biodiversity and environmental factors, with plans to retain existing as well as planting over 10,000 new native species trees, adding to the wooded character that will last into the future.’
Speaking on the major milestone, Barry Kerr, Apex’s Director of Development, commented: “We are delighted to have completed the first sector of homes at Black Ridge in west Belfast. Late last year, we handed over the keys to the first of these new homes, and since then we have made steady progress, with almost 100 families now enjoying the benefits of living in this new and growing community. We look forward to the construction of the upcoming sectors and the development of the area’s amenities, including play parks, community centre and retail units.”
The £102m Black Ridge development has been supported by £52.4million Housing Association Grant funding from the Department for Communities and £49.4million private finance investment by Apex Housing Association.
Some of the new homes which were handed over to complete sector one of Black Ridge.
