South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Minister Ritchie must back words up with action in relation to Sirocco site

Published: 30 January, 2009

East Belfast Sinn Féin representative Niall Ó Donnghaile has called upon Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie to match her commitment, given in writing, to work to secure 20% social and affordable housing on East Belfast's Sirocco works site, with actions.


Mr Ó Donnghaile was speaking after meeting with representatives of developers, the Carvill Group, where it was revealed that despite repeated attempts to arrange a meeting with representatives of the Department of Social Development to discuss the proposed Sirocco works development, they have been unable to secure such a meeting.


Mr Ó Donnghaile said,

"The proposed development at the former Sirocco works site must rank as one of the largest projects of its type in the East Belfast area. It will provide much needed housing, including social housing, as well as economic investment and jobs for the area. The potential impact upon, not only East Belfast, but the whole of Belfast is phenomenal.


"We have been working with the local community to ensure that the needs of the surrounding area are met in relation to this project. The need for social housing is particularly acute in this part of East Belfast. We have met with local community groups and the developers, the Carvill Group, to press the need for social housing to be included on this site, indeed, we are continuing to work with the Carvill Group towards this end.


"Campaigners were given a boost late last year when the Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie, in a written reply to my Party colleague Alex Maskey, affirmed her commitment to securing 20% of the residential development on the former Sirocco Works site for developing Social and Affordable Housing. At the time I welcomed this commitment.


"I am, however, dismayed, as no doubt many within the community are, to learn that the Carvill group, despite repeated attempts, have been unable to secure a meeting with the Department of Social Development to discuss this development".


He concluded,

"This development will have a significant impact upon, not only East Belfast, but Belfast as a whole. There is great potential for a positive social and economic impact on an are which traditionally rates amongst the most social deprived areas in the Six Counties. In addition to this the development offers a real opportunity to begin to tackle the shortage in social housing which exists in this area. It seems incredible to me that with all of this potential the Department of Social Development have not been wiling to meet with the developers. This is particularly worrying given that the Regional Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has committed her department to working to ensure social housing on this site. I would upon the Minister to back up her words with actions and to ensure that her Department meets with the Carvill Group and also to ensure that her Department, as she promised it would, works to securing 20% of the residential development on the former Sirocco Works site for developing Social and Affordable Housing".

CRÍOCH