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Drumtara housing improvements may be axed amid budget pressures, warns councillor

  • Writer: Love Ballymena
    Love Ballymena
  • 5 minutes ago
  • 2 min read
Drumtara housing improvements may be axed amid budget pressures, warns councillor Residents in Drumtara who have waited years for long-promised housing upgrades now face the prospect of further delays — or even cancellation — as mounting budget pressures threaten planned improvement schemes. Braid Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr has raised alarm after being informed in recent days that renovation works in the area may not proceed as expected. The planned improvements include new kitchens and bathrooms for homes, but uncertainty has grown due to financial constraints within the Department for Communities. For many residents, the most pressing concern centres on a long-awaited roofing scheme. According to Councillor Barr, people in the Drumtara area have been waiting at least a decade for these works to be delivered. He warned that any further delay would represent a serious breach of trust with families who have already endured years of uncertainty. Councillor Barr said, “families in Drumtara have shown extraordinary patience. They were given assurances that essential improvements — including roofing works — would be carried out. To now hear that these schemes could be jeopardised because of budget pressures is alarming and unacceptable. Drumtara residents and I are fed up with false dawns. People want to decorate and buy new furniture. Sadly, they cannot do this as they are worried that their homes will be destroyed due to constant leaking roofs.’’ The councillor said the situation has left many households hesitant to invest in their homes while the future of the promised works remains unclear. Alan added, “residents deserve certainty. I have passed these concerns to Jon Burrows MLA, who will be seeking immediate confirmation from the Minister as to whether these works will proceed as planned. Clear answers are needed without delay.” Councillor Barr said he will continue pressing the Department for Communities through Mr Burrows until residents receive a clear decision on the future of the schemes. He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to ensuring that Drumtara residents receive the improvements they were promised. ⸻ At a glance • Planned housing improvement schemes in the Drumtara area may be delayed or cancelled due to Department for Communities budget pressures • Proposed works include upgrades such as new kitchens, bathrooms and a long-promised roofing scheme • Residents have reportedly been waiting at least ten years for roofing improvements to be delivered • Braid UUP Councillor Alan Barr has raised concerns about the potential impact on local families • Barr has asked Jon Burrows MLA to seek urgent clarification from the relevant Minister • Residents remain uncertain about whether the promised works will proceed or be postponed

Councillor Alan Barr


Residents in Drumtara who have waited years for long-promised housing upgrades now face the prospect of further delays — or even cancellation — as mounting budget pressures threaten planned improvement schemes.


Braid Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr has raised alarm after being informed in recent days that renovation works in the area may not proceed as expected.



The planned improvements include new kitchens and bathrooms for homes, but uncertainty has grown due to financial constraints within the Department for Communities.


For many residents, the most pressing concern centres on a long-awaited roofing scheme. According to Councillor Barr, people in the Drumtara area have been waiting at least a decade for these works to be delivered.



He warned that any further delay would represent a serious breach of trust with families who have already endured years of uncertainty.



Councillor Barr said:


“Families in Drumtara have shown extraordinary patience. They were given assurances that essential improvements — including roofing works — would be carried out. To now hear that these schemes could be jeopardised because of budget pressures is alarming and unacceptable.


“Drumtara residents and I are fed up with false dawns. People want to decorate and buy new furniture. Sadly, they cannot do this as they are worried that their homes will be destroyed due to constant leaking roofs.’’



The councillor said the situation has left many households hesitant to invest in their homes while the future of the promised works remains unclear.


Alan added:


“Residents deserve certainty. I have passed these concerns to Jon Burrows MLA, who will be seeking immediate confirmation from the Minister as to whether these works will proceed as planned. Clear answers are needed without delay.”



Councillor Barr said he will continue pressing the Department for Communities through Mr Burrows until residents receive a clear decision on the future of the schemes.


He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to ensuring that Drumtara residents receive the improvements they were promised.


At a glance


  • Planned housing improvement schemes in the Drumtara area may be delayed or cancelled due to Department for Communities budget pressures


  • Proposed works include upgrades such as new kitchens, bathrooms and a long-promised roofing scheme


  • Residents have reportedly been waiting at least ten years for roofing improvements to be delivered


  • Braid UUP Councillor Alan Barr has raised concerns about the potential impact on local families


  • Barr has asked Jon Burrows MLA to seek urgent clarification from the relevant Minister


  • Residents remain uncertain about whether the promised works will proceed or be postponed



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