The area has long been in the shadow of the local military base, but the construction of a new Family Centre has renewed interest from people wanting to live there.
Visiting the area, where she was accompanied by the local MP Eddie McGrady and members of the Ballyhornan Community Association, Margaret Ritchie said: “I appreciate that there are many problems at Ballyhornan that need to be sorted out before we can move forward with a housing solution. There are infrastructure issues regarding roads, water and sewerage. But I want to start the ball rolling and that is why I am pleased to announce our plans to identify the housing need in the area.
“True, on the basis of the current waiting list figures need has not been established. However, the Housing Executive is due to meet local representatives early next month to discuss arrangements for carrying out the ‘latent demand’ test which will be held in November. This test will help to identify the housing demand in Ballyhornan.”
The Minister concluded her visit by encouraging anyone with an interest in moving back into the area to register that interest with the Housing Executive once the test gets formally underway.
Notes to Editors:
- Ballyhornan is classed as being within the Ardglass/Ballyhornan/Bishopscourt/Dunsford common landlord area by the Housing Executive. There are no housing figures available specific to Ballyhornan but in the common landlord area the main area of need has been identified in Ardglass where a programme is in place to provide an additional 35 houses to meet social housing need.
- In a report commissioned by the Department in March 2008 the key stakeholders consulted agreed that the primary environmental factors affecting the area were:-military installed fences
- derelict and decrepit MOD structures
- poor tourist development in and around Ballyhornan Beach
- In the longer term significant economic and political investment is required in dealing with the infrastructural difficulties being experienced in the area, and also the stretching of Departmental portfolios and a willingness to provide assistance in the area, such as the examples provided by the Northern Ireland Rural Development Council and Down District Council.
- Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9496 or Fiona Nelson on 07816157480. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
