Minister Lyons opens £29m shared housing development in Ballymena

Anita Conway, Director of Development at Radius Housing Association with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Dermot McBride from MJ McBride Construction at the opening of the new St Patrick's housing development in Ballymena.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has officially opened a £29 million shared housing development in Ballymena, delivering 135 modern homes as part of the ambitious St Patrick’s regeneration project.

The scheme, funded by the Department for Communities and Radius Housing, is part of the ongoing transformation of the former military site, which is being redeveloped to bring long-term economic and social benefits to the town and surrounding communities.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Lyons highlighted the importance of the project in addressing housing need and supporting wider regeneration:

“I am pleased to be opening this transformational project which marks another phase in the ongoing regeneration of the St Patrick’s site.

“This development of modern, affordable, sustainable and shared homes is a significant step in addressing the housing need which exists in this community. The regeneration of the area will provide not just housing but a community with social infrastructure, new facilities and links to the nearby town centre, making it a great place to live.”

The Minister linked the Ballymena project to his long-term vision for housing across Northern Ireland:

“At the end of 2024, I launched the Housing Supply Strategy which aims to deliver 100,000 homes over the next 15 years, a third of which will be social housing. To achieve this goal, we need a radical approach to find new ways to increase the number of homes under construction, reduce homelessness and improve housing quality.

“The successful completion of housing schemes like this one can only be achieved through continuing collaboration, involving individuals, organisations, communities and government at various levels.

“I commend Radius Housing Association on the successful completion of this development and wish the residents every happiness in their new homes.”

Radius Housing Association, which led delivery of the project, emphasised both the housing provision and the community-building role of the scheme.

Anita Conway, Director of Development at Radius Housing Association, said:

“We are delighted to welcome the new tenants to their homes, and it is important that Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has been able to join us here to officially mark the completion of the new homes at St Patrick’s. This is a really significant regeneration project, led by housing but bringing wide-ranging benefits to the whole community.

“The construction element, with the employment and apprenticeship opportunities it created, is one important aspect. But Radius is committed to building communities as well as homes, and our team has already been working with the local community, schools and neighbours to ensure that the new development and tenants integrate positively.

“We hope that the new tenants enjoy many happy years in their new homes.”

The St Patrick’s regeneration project is a multi-agency initiative led by the Department for Communities.

Alongside residential homes, it includes a new PSNI building and a range of projects being developed by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, such as a new leisure and wellbeing centre, an innovation and cleantech hub, and civic and public spaces.

The regeneration is complemented by the opening of the new Northern Regional College campus, located adjacent to the site, which will welcome students this month.

With its combination of new housing, education facilities, employment opportunities and community infrastructure, the redevelopment of the St Patrick’s site represents one of the most significant regeneration projects in Ballymena in recent years.