Attwood clears the way for 200 homes at former military base

Minister for Social Development Alex Attwood is helping to create a better future for all, with new homes at a former barracks site in Enniskillen.

The Minister visited the site of Grosvenor Barracks today which is being knocked down to make way for 200 new energy-efficient social and affordable homes, subject to planning permission.

Grosvenor Barracks was purchased by the Department for Social Development from the Ministry of Defence in March 2008.

Speaking after inspecting the on-going demolition work, Minister Attwood said: “This site will come to symbolise part of the future of this area and Northern Ireland. We should remember and reflect on our past and we should work together to build a new order of things. The demolition of the barracks and the recycling and reusing of any waste material, will form the foundation for one of Northern Ireland’s first and largest eco-villages comprising of social and affordable houses.”

An outline planning application will shortly be submitted for the larger part of the site and will detail planning, roads and other conditions. A masterplan has been developed as part of this work.

In keeping with the development’s eco status, the demolition contractor will reuse and recycle all elements of the demolished buildings. All concrete and masonry will be crushed and stockpiled on site to provide in-fill for any basements and changes in levels arising from the demolition. All timber will be chipped and shredded and all structural steel will be recycled and reused where possible, as will the external cladding. In essence the past will be used to construct the future.

Minister Attwood added: “What we are doing here on the Grosvenor Barracks site is part of a long term plan to create an attractive, sustainable residential development.

“In the short term, work will start later this year to refurbish an existing 10 houses at Ballaghmore Heights to help meet current housing need. The refurbishment will be undertaken by Clanmil Housing Association and will result in each house achieving a minimum of level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

“They will be homes fit for the future but available for immediate use.”

Notes to editors:

1. The Grosvenor Barracks site covers approximately 20 acres on a split site at the western edge of Enniskillen. Since purchasing the site, DSD has undertaken several measures to facilitate the future development of the site such as the completion of a remediation plan; an asbestos survey and removal exercise and the award of a demolition contract to clear the site
2. The Concept Design Statement within the Masterplan envisages approximately 200 units on the site, however, this will be subject to the full rigours of the planning process and is only for the purposes of seeking outline approval.
3. Clanmil Housing is the 5th largest of Northern Ireland’s 32 registered housing associations after Fold, Helm, Oaklee and North and West. The association owns and manages a stock of 2,400 homes throughout the country. Around half are for families and singles, with a similar number for the elderly and 100 or so supported units for people with special needs. The association has a staff of 190 people.
4. This scheme will be CEEQUAL Assessed. CEEQUAL is an award scheme assessing the environmental quality of civil engineering projects. Its objective is to encourage the attainment of environmental excellence in civil engineering projects and thus deliver improved environmental performance in project specification, design and construction
5. Media enquiries and photograph requests to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9497 or contact Ciara McGuigan on 07792 150 486