Mourne’s Sinn Fein Cllr Willie Clarke has described the delays by the Housing Executive in relation to the new build of the arson damaged flats in Bracken Avenue and Burrendale Park, Newcastle, as “totally unacceptable”.
Cllr Clarke said: “The redevelopment process at the flats has taken an unacceptable period of time. It has been nearly two years since the first arson attacks in Bracken Avenue, Newcastle. I had been informed by Housing Executive officials, that the new rebuild scheme would begin late January 2017, and this never materialised.
“I was then informed by the Housing Executive that the rebuild would commence after the Easter holidays, which again, didn’t happen. As an elected representative it is difficult to explain to the public why these delays are occurring. Residents in the area are left with the blight from these burnt out blocks of homes.”
Cllr Clarke added: “I do not lay the blame of these delays at the door of local mangers and staff. Instead the delays are in Housing Executive headquarters. I will be writing to the Chief Executive, in relation to my concerns.
“It is important that this rebuild is completed as quickly as possible, The loss of these housing units adds to the social housing deficit in the Newcastle area where we have over 250 people in housing stress.
“The need for quality affordable housing is essential for the wellbeing of our citizens. Every day our party offices are inundated by families requesting assistance to avail of social housing.”
