Latest news with #socialhousing
BreakingNews.ie
7 hours ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Land Development Agency launches public consultation on 2,000 new homes in north Dublin
The State-owned Land Development Agency (LDA) has launched a public consultation and stakeholder engagement process on the proposed delivery of over 2,000 homes in north Dublin. The development at Clongriffin will be the biggest single State housing project in decades. The new homes will be made available as social, cost rental or affordable purchase. Advertisement Subject to planning approval, the proposed "Clongriffin Central" development will deliver new apartments and green spaces, in addition to retail outlets and new community facilities and amenities. A new vision document and website have been created by the LDA and the architectural firm Henry J Lyons, in consultation with Dublin City Council. Members of the public and stakeholders are invited to engage with the LDA's information campaign and to provide their feedback on the proposals. The newly published vision document outlines the LDA's plans for the development, which is located on the northern edge of Dublin 13, next to Clongriffin train station and existing retail facilities. The site was acquired by the LDA in late 2023. In March of this year, the LDA also acquired an adjacent site in Stapolin in Baldoyle with the potential to deliver a further 1,900 homes. Advertisement The two sites are located either side of the Dublin to Belfast railway line and provide an opportunity for the LDA to deliver an estimated total of over 4,000 homes. Construction work began on the first phase delivery of 408 apartments in Clongriffin Central in March this year. This development will include a new creche, public park and cultural spaces. Ireland Land Development Agency to deliver 320 cost-rental... Read More The new vision document includes proposals for the remainder of the site and the LDA intends to make further planning applications later this year. Feedback from the public consultation process will be carefully considered by the design team, the LDA said. Advertisement Phelim O'Neill, director of development at the LDA, said: 'I am delighted to see the launch of this vision document outlining the LDA's ambitious proposals for a sustainable community and affordable homes at Clongriffin. We have engaged architects Henry J Lyons to plan and design a new high quality and sustainable residential development with social and commercial amenities that will cater for existing residents, future residents and visitors. 'The LDA values the local community's engagement and feedback, and I am actively encouraging local residents, businesses and community groups to contribute to this important process as we strive to deliver a development that meets the needs of the area. The LDA will also continue to work with Dublin City Council on the project.'
BBC News
11 hours ago
- BBC News
Tenants raise concerns as council begins plan to improve housing
A multi-million pound plan to improve Swindon's social housing has started with a series of public engagement Swindon Borough Council "Let's Talk Housing" events asked for feedback from tenants to help it target the "right issues in the right order".At these events tenants raised safety, maintenance and anti-social behaviour concerns, with one tenant saying: "People are scared, they don't want to live there anymore, it's not safe."The council has allocated £250m to make improvements after a report by the housing regulator found "serious failings" in standards and said "significant improvement" was needed. Christopher Weston attended the first Let's Talk Housing event to raise safety concerns on behalf of his elderly mother who has lived in a council-owned property for two said: "The council are not doing what they should be doing."Another tenant, who wished to remain anonymous, raised concerns over his safety because he said that drug dealing in his block has been ongoing for three said: "I want them [the council] to get rid of the people doing the drug dealing, I want them thrown out, they're breaking the tenancy agreement." Danny Iles lives in a 10-storey block of flats in Park North, with a water leak for two years which has spread from his bathroom to his hallway and kitchen caused Mr Iles's brother to move out of the property, which they shared together for 15 Iles said the council came out on multiple occasions but failed to fix the problem and "in the end I gave up".He said the situation has left him with feelings of "stress" and "anger" adding he feels like he has been "forgotten about". Swindon Borough Council's head of housing, councillor Janine Howarth, said she wants to "reassure Danny that we are working over the next five years to bring the housing stock up to the standard it should have been over the past 20 years".Council leader, Jim Robbins, said the events enabled the council to talk to tenants to ensure they "target the right issues in the right order".In December the council self-referred to the housing regulator and following a critical report it has committed to raising the standard of council housing over the next five years by spending £250m.
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Old Paignton shopping centre could become social housing
An old shopping centre site in Paignton could become social housing to provide extra care apartments. New plans by Torbay Council said 91 apartments at the old Crossways shopping centre and a new Day Centre to replace an ageing facility at Hollicombe could be built. Sarah Wallis, a partner in the AR & E Wallis Electrical store across from the site, said she thought the plans would "not help the town". A spokesperson for Torbay Council said if the proposals went ahead they would increase footfall in the area and more people would shop locally. The former shopping centre was demolished in 2023, and its last shop shut in Wallis said: "We would like to have more shops, not just cafés but a variation of shops to bring more into the town."They're going to take away car parking off the street for the access for the site. We just think it is not helping the town." Conservative councillor Chris Lewis, the deputy leader of Torbay Council, said: "91 extra apartments, as opposed to a car park or a derelict shopping complex, which it was, means that those 91 people can go and actually shop in the town centre."What we need is footfall in Paignton, people supporting the local shops and buying things, and by having a scheme like this that's exactly what they will be able to do."If plans are approved, building work could start in April 2026.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
PHIL BRICKELL: 'Spending review will bring real improvements to our area'
As the MP for Bolton West, I'm pleased that the government's 2025 Spending Review will bring real improvements for our area. Its plans will deliver the growth we need to make everyday life better for families and businesses across Blackrod, Bolton, Horwich and Westhoughton. First, with more money for the NHS and our schools. The Chancellor has increased NHS funding by three per cent and committed to the biggest ever investment in NHS building repairs. Having already made significant progress in reducing NHS waiting times, this further investment will help even more in ensuring we all get the swift, good quality care we deserve. Education also sees a major boost, with an extra £2billion in funding. Here in Bolton West, Devonshire Road Primary School has already received support to run a breakfast club, helping children start their day well-fed and ready to learn. And, from 2026, more children will also get free school meals, giving extra help to many local families struggling with the weekly cost of living. Second, with landmark support for more genuinely affordable and warmer houses. The government is investing a blockbuster £39 billion to build 1.5 million new homes across the country, allowing my constituents the opportunity to fulfil their ambition for a secure roof over their heads at a genuinely affordable price. And, after 14 years of neglect by the last government, Greater Manchester will get £73.6 million to improve social housing, making homes more energy-efficient, cutting heating bills and helping the environment. Third, with investment in better transport infrastructure. Good transport links are vital for work, school, and leisure. Greater Manchester will receive an additional £2.5 billion to improve public transport, including bringing rail under the Bee Network and adding 1,000 new electric buses by 2030. Far too much time is currently lost stuck in traffic or waiting on platforms for delayed trains – a frustration I myself feel only too keenly on the way to my office in Horwich. Delays not only impact our collective wellbeing, they also hold us back in terms of our economic productivity. The spending review gets us back on track. Fourth, by ensuring we're stronger both at home and abroad. The Chancellor pledged funding to end the use of hotels as accommodation for those seeking asylum, which spiralled out of control under the Conservatives. Securing our borders and creating a fairer immigration system are key initiatives and I'll continue to work to deliver this. And, as well as securing our borders at home, the further investment in our armed forces will support well-paid, new jobs including at the MBDA site at Logistics North. Finally, by boosting jobs through new trade deals. The government has also secured important new trade deals with India, the United States, and the European Union. These deals cut costs and help industries across the North West, such as car manufacturing and steel production, as well as local firms involved in their supply chains. They'll also secure lower prices for consumers, relying on goods coming from those countries – a win-win for British workers and customers. The 2025 Spending Review is good news and it sets the course for a brighter future. Upon my election, I promised the people of Bolton West that I would deliver a stronger NHS, tackle the cost of living and secure our borders. I'm confident this spending review ensures the government will deliver on those promises. And, as your MP, I'll keep working hard to make sure these benefits reach everyone across our towns.
CTV News
14 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Old Brewery Mission opens mixed housing in Lachine
The Old Brewery Mission opened its first mixed housing facility in Montreal's Lachine borough for people who need help getting back on their feet. Of the 18 units, 13 are studio apartments for singles and there are five larger apartments for couples, all in a renovated corner building. President and CEO James Hughes explains that separate quarters for men and women can reduce accessibility for people in need. 'These are duos that lean on each other, that won't move into housing without each other,' says Hughes. Each unit has a kitchen and bathroom, plus access to shared spaces like laundry rooms and a garden area. Located in Lachine, this is the first time the Old Brewery Mission establishes social housing outside the greater downtown area. Hughes says living on the streets isn't only a downtown issue. 'We need three things to solve homelessness or reduce vulnerability. You need an apartment. You need a rent supplement to make sure that the unit is affordable. And the third aspect is services,' he explains. Services include social support and back to work training. Craig Kowal is looking forward to signing a lease and says having a stable place to live is the next step to making a fresh start. Originally from Pointe St-Charles, Kowal has been working to turn things around. 'It's been a few pretty rough years drug use and not having a permanent place to live, so I've kind of been couch surfing for a while. I completed a therapy in 2023, so I've been clean now for a couple of years. It feels great. But one of the challenges is having a stable place to live,' he says. Lachine Mayor Maja Vodanovic says social housing is a good investment. 'It's cheaper for the government, it's cheaper for society to house everyone than to have people on the street,' she says. This project was financed in part by funds from all three levels of government along with a generous $4.5 million donation from industrial supplies company Tenaquip. The housing project is called Tenaquip Place. 'This is a perfect example of all levels of government coming together to do something, and we just have to keep doing it. And I just hope that the government gives more money because I don't think you can expect private foundations to give so much money every time,' says Vodanovic. Michael Fitzgerald, Executive Director of the Tenaquip Foundation, is proud to be part of the initiative. 'Tenaquip Place and housing units like this are the beginning: a step in the right direction to ending homelessness,' he says. Fitzgerald says this partnership with the Old Brewery Mission will help the most vulnerable - including those outside of the downtown core. And for Kowal, it means a fresh start. 'I'm happy to be here. I'm excited for a new phase of my life. more stability, work and a better life,' he says.
