Alpha Housing breaks ground on first Whitehead development

Alpha Housing Chief Executive Cameron Watt, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA, the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Alderman William McCaughey, East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson, and Mike Martin from the Martin Property Group.​

Alpha Housing has officially commenced work on its inaugural development in Whitehead, marking a significant investment in new, affordable housing in the seaside town’s Windsor Avenue area.

The milestone was celebrated with a visit by political and community leaders, including Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA, East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson, and Alderman William McCaughey, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

They were joined by Cameron Watt, Chief Executive of Alpha Housing, and Mike Martin, Group Director at the Martin Property Group, the project’s development partner.

An artist’s impression of how Alpha Housing’s new development at Whitehead will look once work has been completed in Spring 2027.

Once complete in Spring 2027, the development will provide 24 high-quality apartments catering to a diverse range of residents, including individuals, families, and older people.

Addressing Housing Needs Through Thoughtful Design

“This new development in Whitehead is a fantastic example of how thoughtful design and partnership working can deliver quality homes that ably meet people’s needs,” said Cameron Watt.

“Alpha Housing is proud to be investing in Whitehead for the very first time, and we look forward to welcoming new residents here in 2027.

“Partnering with Martin Property Group – a Northern Ireland firm which is one of the UK’s leading property and investment companies – we are transforming a brown field site into an attractive development of 24 one, and two, bedroom apartments. In doing so, we are turning a derelict eyesore into a valuable, community asset.”

East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson (centre) pictured at a sod cutting event to officially mark the start of work on the Whitehead development with the Chief Executive of Alpha Housing Cameron Watt (L) and Mike Martin (Group Director at the Martin Property Group).

Watt also stressed the project’s significance amid growing housing pressures in the region: “With nearly fifty thousand families on the Northern Ireland Housing Executive waiting list, there has never been a greater need for new social homes.”

Supported by Key Stakeholders

Backed by the Department for Communities (DfC), with grant funding provided through the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), construction on the development began in March 2025.

The location offers excellent proximity to local shops, amenities and transport links, while the apartments will feature modern insulation and sustainable design elements to help reduce energy costs for residents.

The development includes:

• 8 general use one-bedroom apartments

• 1 general use two-bedroom apartment

• 3 general use two-bedroom apartments

• 1 one-bedroom ‘Category One’ apartment

• 2 wheelchair-accessible ‘Category One’ apartments

• 9 two-bedroom ‘Category One’ apartments for independent older people

Councillor Robert Logan, of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, pictured with Alpha Housing Chief Executive Cameron Watt (L) and Mike Martin from the Martin Property Group.

A Regeneration for Whitehead

Siobhan Kennedy, Senior Development Manager at Martin Property Group, expressed enthusiasm for the project’s positive impact:

“The Martin Property Group is delighted to be working in partnership with Alpha Housing Association to deliver 24, high-quality apartments in Whitehead, County Antrim.

“The project will regenerate a derelict site into vibrant new accommodation, built to the highest standards catering for a range of housing needs whilst providing economic benefits to the area. We look forward to seeing these much-needed homes completed in 2027.”

Mayor Alderman William McCaughey welcomed the development’s potential to transform both the site and the community:

“This marks an exciting milestone as we break ground on this new housing development. These state-of-the-art homes will not only help make a difference to housing waiting lists in the area but will also transform this piece of land. I look forward to seeing this project progress, building a brighter future for local residents.”

Part of a Broader Housing Strategy

The Windsor Avenue development is part of Alpha Housing’s wider strategy to deliver innovative, high-quality social housing across Northern Ireland.

Other ongoing developments include Baronsgrange in Carryduff (£3.2 million), Quarry Heights in Newtownards (£4.8 million), and Edenwood in Omagh (£2.3 million).

As housing demand continues to rise across the province, Alpha Housing’s commitment to delivering sustainable, affordable homes in collaboration with partners like Martin Property Group is set to play a crucial role in addressing long-term housing needs.