Radius Housing appoint contractor for major Belfast Housing Scheme

Radius Housing appoint contractor for major Belfast Housing Scheme

Kevin Watson Group appointed to develop 244 homes at former Visteon Factory site, Northern Ireland’s largest mixed-use development.

Radius Housing has announced that Eglinton based Kevin Watson Group as the contractor for the new 244 homes at the former Visteon factory site in Belfast. The £35 million development will see the construction of 244 private and social homes and access to community and workspace facilities, all set within extensive newly landscaped and open space on the former factory site. This is one of the largest housing development projects anywhere in Northern Ireland in recent years and will lead directly to 300 construction jobs.

Kevin Watson Group has extensive experience in constructing housing and commercial properties right across Northern Ireland. As well as creating 300 construction jobs, the development will make an overall contribution to the economy of some £86 million. In addition Radius and Kevin Watson Group will deliver a number of apprenticeship opportunities during the lifetime of the contract. They will also work with local schools on learning and participation programmes.

Ahead of the commencement of major works, Kevin Watson Group are holding a ‘Meet the Contractor’ event in the Balmoral Hotel on Tuesday 21st August from 2.30pm-4pm. This will be an opportunity to find out more about the plans for the site and the opportunities for sub-contractors and apprenticeships.

Making the announcement, Anita Conway, Radius Housing Director of Development said: “We are delighted that Kevin Watson Group are starting work on the Visteon site. Their experience in delivering high quality homes across Northern Ireland means that they are well placed to bring more than 240 new homes to this site in Belfast. This development will play a hugely significant role in reducing with the housing waiting list in this area which is an area of acute housing stress. As one of Northern Ireland’s only developers of affordable housing, we are delighted that this project will also include a range of affordable homes, which will be exclusively reserved for first time buyers.”

“Along with Radius Housing, Kevin Watson Group is committed to ensuring that this development will bring economic benefits to the local area, through job and apprentice opportunities, as well as wider knock on benefits to local businesses, “ she added.

Kevin Watson, Director of Kevin Watson Group, said:“We aredelighted to be working with Radius Housing on one of the largest social and affordable housing projects in Northern Ireland. This Project will deliver excellent quality social and affordable homes to the people of Belfast as well regenerating an area of waste ground that has lain vacant for several years. In partnership with Radius Housing we have created several opportunities for young people from the area who are interested in working in the Built Environment, including a Trainee Site Manager Programme in which you can ‘earn as you learn’. The successful applicant will work on the Visteon Project under the supervision of KWG Management, learning to become a Trainee Site Manager while at the same time gaining NVQ Level 6 Site Manager qualification. This Programme will run over three years and is an excellent opportunity for young people with an interest in learning about the construction industry."

Further information about the development can be found at www.radiusvisteonregeneration.com. The Meet the Contractor event will be held in the Balmoral Hotel from 2.30pm-4pm on the 21st August. 2018. For more detail contact Kevin Watson Group on 028 7181 2245.

Any young person aged 17-25 who is interested in the Trainee Site Manager Programme can find further information by emailing shonaw@kevinwatsongroup.com before Friday 24th August.

ENDS

Further info:

Brendan Scott

MW Advocate

028 9026 7072

07834422923

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