Community Celebrates New Beginnings at St Patrick’s

Residents of the new St Patrick’s shared housing development in Ballymena came together on Wednesday 29th October for a Tenants Welcome Event to celebrate the completion of the housing development and all housing allocations.  The event was attended by the Mayor of Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, Jackson Minford.

The fun-filled day featured children’s activities, live entertainment, food stalls and information stands from local groups. It provided an opportunity for new neighbours to get to know one another and for the wider Ballymena community to celebrate the transformation of the former St Patrick’s Barracks site.

The Tenants Welcome Event followed the official opening of the development by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, who visited St Patrick’s on 3rd September to mark the completion of 135 new homes delivered by Radius Housing.

The completed development consists of 32 apartments, including several that are wheelchair accessible, and 113 houses, ten of which are available for private sale as affordable homes. The new housing is part of a wider £160m masterplan led by the Department for Communities. Construction of the homes began in August 2022, with MJ McBride as the lead contractor. In addition to the new homes and significant road infrastructure, the project has also delivered a children’s play park.

Speaking at the event, Radius Director of Communities, Loma Wilson, said “We were delighted to bring everyone together today to celebrate not just the new homes, but the new community that is forming here at St Patrick’s. Days like this help to build connections and friendships that will make this a strong and vibrant neighbourhood.”

The St Patrick’s shared housing development is supported by the Department for Communities and the Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.  The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. A potential of £16.9m will be invested in the St Patrick’s shared housing development and associated five-year Good Relations Plan.

Radius Housing have 15 Shared Housing developments in total, 11 of which are currently in the development or delivery of 5 Year Good Relations Plans and the remaining 4, although they have come to the end of their plan period, continue to champion good relations in their on-going community engagement. St. Patrick’s Barrack’s Good Relations Plan includes ‘bonding’ events which are delivered to tenants of the new development.  This includes events which help build friendships, promote health and wellbeing and community development.

Radius Housing is a leading social and affordable housing developer in Northern Ireland, constructing around 300 new social and affordable homes each year. The organisation manages more than 14,000 social homes and provides care and support to thousands more people annually.

The Executive Office - Together: Building a United Community

Department for Communities - Shared Housing Programme

Further Information:

Brendan Scott
MW Advocate
brendan.scott@mwadvocate.com