Radius Housing has welcomed the first residents to its landmark Bawnwall shared housing development, with the handover of the first 15 homes marking an important milestone in the creation of a new mixed community.
The first phase of the 94-home potential ‘Housing for All’ scheme represents the beginning of a major regeneration project that will transform a site steeped in local history into a modern neighbourhood where people and families can thrive. Construction began on site in March 2024 and will continue until March 2027, at which point the shared housing development will house approximately 395 people.
Located on the former Castle Garden Spinning Mills site, the development has been carefully designed to celebrate the area’s heritage. As part of the project, the historic Bawn Wall is being restored, preserving part of a house and garden estate dating back to the 1600s and ensuring an important piece of local history remains at the heart of the new community.
The first handover marks the beginning of a phased delivery programme that will ultimately see all 94 homes completed, creating a vibrant new community while preserving the historic character of this important local site.
The Bawnwall potential shared housing scheme is supported by the Department for Communities and the Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.
The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. A potential investment of £13.1 million is being invested in the Bawnwall shared housing development and associated five-year Good Relations Plan.
Loma Wilson, Director of Communities, Radius Housing, said: Today is a significant milestone as we welcome the first residents to the Bawnwall shared housing development and see this exciting new community begin to take shape. Receiving the keys to a new home is a life-changing moment, and we are delighted to share that experience with our new tenants as they begin this next chapter.
“The Bawnwall shared housing development brings together the best of the past and the future. While providing modern, energy-efficient homes that will support people and families for generations to come, it also preserves an important part of the area’s rich heritage through the restoration of the historic Bawn Wall. We look forward to seeing this community grow as future phases are completed.”
A new resident said: “We are delighted to have moved into our new home in Bawnwall. As a ‘blended family’, this has given us all an amazing opportunity to live under the same roof in one home for the first time, and as a result, this has freed up another two properties for other families.”
Radius Housing currently has 17 shared housing developments across Northern Ireland. The Bawnwall shared housing development’s Good Relations Plan includes a range of events which are delivered to tenants of Bawnwall and the wider community to encourage a range of good relations outcomes which include health & wellbeing, education & training, arts & culture, community development and advice & advocacy.
Radius continues to work in partnership with the local Advisory Group stakeholders, and with residents to develop the scheme’s Good Relations Plan which is reviewed and updated annually.
