The largest housing development currently under construction in Northern Ireland has been officially opened. The Black Ridge development in West Belfast will see Apex Housing Association (Apex) provide 653 new homes, including 549 social homes to rent and 104 affordable homes for sale. Constructed by the Braidwater Group, the keys to 50 of these new homes have been handed over in recent weeks to the first residents of Black Ridge, with the entire development expected to be completed by 2028.
The £102m scheme has been supported by £52.4million Housing Association Grant funding from the Department for Communities and £49.4million private finance investment by Apex. The development, being built by BW Social & Affordable Homes, will also feature a community hub with MUGA (multi-use games area), two care homes, a neighbourhood retail centre, a hotel and a number of children’s playparks. Speaking at the opening event, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said: "As Minister, I am pleased to be opening this transformational project. Landmark developments such as Black Ridge are a significant step in addressing the housing need which exists in this community. Everyone has a right to a decent standard of housing. "And yet, a home is much more than bricks and mortar. It begins with a roof over someone’s head