New housing scheme first to use elements of Rural Housing’s Design Guide

Construction of 14 new energy efficient social houses has begun at Lismore Park in Sion Mills.

The project has been spearheaded by the Rural Housing Association, Omagh, with the works being carried out the Kevin Watson Group.

The homes will be completed in October 2019 and will be available to those in housing need. “This development will alleviate the social housing need in Sion Mills considerably,” commented Stephen Fisher, Rural Housing’s chief executive.

The houses will be allocated by Rural Housing Association using the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) waiting lists and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Housing Selection Scheme.

In conjunction with Rural Housing Association, the new scheme has been designed by architects, GM Designs, Coleraine. This is the first new build scheme to embrace the principles of Rural Housing Association’s own Design Guide which aims to achieve high quality, energy efficient, easy to use and economic to maintain social housing that embraces the local of rural living in Sion Mills.

The scheme is being partially funded by Department for Communities through the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, with the remaining private finance being provided to Rural Housing Association by Danske Bank.

“We are delighted to be starting this flagship development in the heart of Sion Mills. The community and their local politicians have all been a great help in getting this project to this stage and we look forward to welcoming our new tenants this time next year,” Mr Fisher concluded.