New 30-home social housing scheme proposed for Antrim

Design drawing showing elevations of proposed new social homes in Antrim

A planning application has been lodged with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for a proposed new social housing development in Antrim’s Ballycraigy estate.

The application for full planning permission has been submitted by an agent on behalf of 10 Main Street Ltd for the demolition of Hazeldene Flats at Newpark Road South and the construction of 30 new units.

If approved, the development will consist of nine one-bedroom units, 20 two-bedroom units and one three-bedroom unit. The proposed scheme will also include private and communal amenity spaces, access arrangements, car parking, cycle bays, landscaping and bin storage.

Marked for demolition: Hazeldene Flats, Antrim.

The proposed apartments would be accommodated within two three-storey, flat-roofed blocks, with 12 self-contained flats in Block A and 18 self-contained units in Block B. Three of the units have been designed to provide wheelchair access.

An amended design and access statement submitted with the application, which has since been re-advertised, said the existing Hazeldene Flats complex consists of 23 units housed in two two-storey blocks.

It stated:

“Substantial individual and communal amenity spaces will be created through the provision of enclosed garden spaces to the ground floor accommodation and communal garden amenity space.”

The statement added that the development proposal would “respect and enhance the established character of the Ballycraigy estate”.

Proposed site (outlined in yellow box) of proposed new social homes in Antrim’s Ballycraigy estate

It continued:

“The established development pattern within the surrounding area and along Newpark South Road is predominantly that of short terraces of two-storey dwellings and blocks of two-storey maisonettes.”

A supporting statement said:

“The proposal provides a mix of apartments for social housing. The scheme has been informed through engagement with a housing association which has selected the apartment types based on housing need for this area.

“Overall, the layout of the site has been cohesively designed to ensure an appropriate mix of unit sizes, private amenity space, manoeuvring space, landscaping and parking.

“The pattern of development is in keeping with the overall character, environmental quality and residential amenity of the established residential area.”

The Housing Executive has said 311 social housing units will be needed in the Antrim town area between 2024 and 2029.

In September 2025, there were 905 applicants on the Housing Executive waiting list in the Antrim town area. Of these, 115 were elderly applicants, 360 were families and 430 were single people. A total of 712 applicants were recorded as being in housing stress.