Twelve new apartments for older people have been completed at the Baronsgrange development in Carryduff, marking a £3.2 million investment in local housing.
The scheme – known as Dempsey House – has been delivered by Alpha Housing in partnership with Fraser Homes and forms part of the wider Baronsgrange development.
The apartments are HAPPI homes (Housing our Ageing Population Panel for Innovation), built to enhanced design standards for older people. They provide generous indoor and outdoor space, better natural light and flexible layouts that allow residents to remain independent for longer, even if their needs change over time.
Each two-bedroom apartment includes bright, spacious living areas and either a private terrace or balcony. The additional space will help maximise residents’ quality of life, accommodate visiting family, and support any future care needs to reduce the likelihood of needing to move again later in life. Shared areas within Dempsey House provide attractive spaces for neighbours to come together and build relationships.
A new footbridge developed by Fraser Homes offers Baronsgrange residents quick and easy pedestrian access to a nearby park and local shops, supporting active living. An upcoming cycle path through the wider Baronsgrange development will further strengthen links between the scheme and the surrounding area.
Baronsgrange is part of a growing number of developments across Northern Ireland that include both private and social housing within the same site. Updated planning policy means this approach will increasingly become standard across new residential developments, ensuring different types of housing are delivered together.
Cameron Watt, Chief Executive of Alpha Housing, said: “For many older people, the right home is key to living independently with confidence. Generous internal space, plentiful natural light and an adaptable design are not luxuries – they are essential if people are to remain healthy and independent as they age.
“Dempsey House demonstrates what can be achieved when social housing is integrated into private-led developments. By working closely with Fraser Homes, we have created homes that meet local need while forming part of a cohesive neighbourhood.”
The project was supported by £2.58m in funding from the Department for Communities, with Alpha Housing providing the remaining £630,000. Construction began in March 2024.
Basil O’Malley, from Fraser Homes Limited, said: “We are committed to shaping sustainable, inclusive communities that support people at every stage of life. In partnership with Alpha Housing, we are proud to have delivered twelve high-quality apartments under the HAPPI principles. This scheme reflects extensive planning, collaboration and careful design development from the outset.”
Basil added: “From site selection and community integration to accessibility and long-term management considerations, this project has been shaped by a clear strategic vision and a shared commitment to quality and excellence in social housing. This development establishes a strong benchmark for modern social housing provision in Carryduff and reflects Fraser Homes focus on creating homes that promote wellbeing, independence and long-term sustainability.”
Welcoming the completion of the homes, the Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Alderman Amanda Grehan, said: “Lisburn and Castlereagh has an ageing population – and the council is committed to supporting our older residents to enjoy happy, fulfilled lives. The Baronsgrange development aligns with the Council’s Local Development Plan, and our Age-Friendly Strategy which identified community services, independent living and safety in the home as being essential for older people’s wellbeing.
“I send my best wishes to the residents as they settle into their new homes and become part of this community,” added the Mayor.
