Carnlough Sod Cutting (4th June, 2010)

Mrs Sylvia Doran Group Chairperson of Oaklee Homes Group cut the first sod at a prestigious new community development for the picturesque village of Carnlough.

The site at Bay Road was purchased from the Belfast Education and Library Board, which previously housed a retreat centre called Drumalla House, formerly an historic house in the village. Oaklee has secured planning permission for 18 dwellings on the site and construction of phase one of the development of 11 units of social housing for the area, recently commenced.

The dwellings are to a very high specification in terms of sustainability and will be among the first dwellings in N. Ireland designed and built to code for sustainable homes level 4 standard. The increased insulation, photovoltaic panels and mechanical ventilation heat recovery systems, will also increase fuel efficiency and reduce running costs tenants.

The development is also a Department of Social Development funded pilot project under the Renewable Construction Demonstrator Programme and makes use of renewable products such as sheeps wool attic insulation and shredded newspaper cavity insulation. The timber frame dwellings will also have a Hempcrete (formed from the Hemp plant) outer skin in place of concrete and this scheme will be the largest in Ireland using this new technology.

Designed by Knox-Clayton architects Lisburn, the scheme is being constructed by MSM Contracts Ltd Portadown, who were successful in the open tender competition and will be completed by April 2011.

Mrs Sylvia Doran was joined at the sod cutting by Mrs Thompson an Oaklee tenant at neighbouring McNeill Court in Larne who grew up beside the former Drumalla House, Mrs Thompson recently celebrated her 100th birthday! She recalled doing recitals for the family in Drumalla House over 80 years ago

Mrs Sylvia Doran Oaklee Homes Group Chairperson commented at the sod cutting, "I am delighted to cut the first sod at this exciting new housing development, this will make significant contribution to alleviating housing need in this area. Oaklee are leading the way in energy efficient homes; the energy specification of Level 4 for sustainable homes of this new development will bring much added benefits to the future tenants. I also welcome the support from the Department for Social Development and NI Housing Executive in this venture "