Minister condemns vandalism of £3m housing scheme

Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds has condemned the vandalism of a £3.3 million housing scheme in east Belfast.

Mr Dodds said: "It is deplorable that the completion of new homes for families in East Belfast has been delayed by a series of attacks by vandals".

Damage to doors, windows, ceilings and bathrooms in new houses under construction in the Connswater area have mounted to an estimated £60,000. The attacks have led to delays in handing over houses to new tenants and will result in the delay of work on another scheme for 33 houses, which was due to start in April.

“Not only is this an attack on the houses, it is a direct attack on the Connswater Community, said Mr Dodds. "Connswater is an area of high housing demand and the inevitable delay will cause hardship for many needy people waiting to move into their new homes. Nothing can justify this vandalism, which is purely criminal in its nature.

“This is not the first time this scheme has been attacked. The attacks are deliberate, organised and clearly have sinister overtones. I call on those involved to stop and would encourage anyone with information to contact the police.

“Whoever is carrying out these attacks should realise that not only are they adding to the burden on the public purse but they are also depriving their own community of much needed housing.

“My Department’s work in redeveloping deprived areas and replacing inadequate homes with new modern dwellings cannot be undermined in this way. Our work in improving deprived areas will continue despite these attacks which are adding to the cost and delaying the delivery of modern family housing.”

The houses damaged were part of the Dee Street Phase 2, a new build social housing scheme being provided by Connswater Housing Association. The scheme will provide a total of 50 new homes for general family and elderly people and was on target to fully complete in March 2002.

A newly approved scheme, Connswater Phase 1, will provide a further 33 units of much needed general family accommodation was due to go onsite in April 2002 following the successful completion of the Dee Street scheme, however this scheme will now be delayed.

(SP)