A Lurgan councillor offered Housing Executive officials a few words of encouragement at a recent council meeting, saying that in terms of social housing, he felt North Lurgan was “top of the pops”.
Speaking in response to a housing investment presentation by Housing Executive at the meeting on September 22, Sinn Féin Councillor Keith Haughian said he wished to make a comment rather than ask a question.
The councillor added that despite the Housing Executive typically being given “a bit of a hard time” at meetings, he wanted to share some positivity.
Said Cllr Haughian: “Every year in my 10 years you obviously have to come in and give a presentation and, to be fair, we usually give you a bit of a hard time. But North Lurgan is ‘top of the pops’ when it comes to what’s required in terms of social housing and housing need in general.
“So my comment is, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a year where there’s so much positivity in the area with the amount of building that has been going on.”
His words came with a slight caveat, in that the councillor recognised in principle it’s not a list anyone would wish to be at the top of, adding, in regards to the future: “Unfortunately, we still will be at the top of that unenviable list.
“It’s to say thank you for the work that you have done. I know I can give you a bit of a hard time from time to time.
“But I would encourage you to continue to identify lands and space for more development. In particular I want to thank your staff, and Sinead [Collins, Head of House Place Shaping], as well for their work around Place Shaping… I know it’s not an easy task.”
Light-heartedly, the councilloro concluded: “It would be nice to see us not at the top of that list at some stage!”
During the Housing Executive’s presentation, they highlighted a recently completed social housing development on North Street, Lurgan with Arbour Housing, which saw 25 three-bedroom homes, one four-bedroom home, 12 two-bedroom apartments and four wheelchair accessible apartments constructed.
