Official Opening of Drumalla Park, Carnlough (Friday 30th September, 2011)

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland officially opened a new £1.5 million housing scheme in Carnlough.

The 11 new homes at Drumalla Park have been built by Oaklee Homes Group and are amongst the most sustainable and energy efficient in Northern Ireland. All have been built using materials from renewable resources and using new technologies to ensure maximum insulation. The homes will also contain triple glazing and photovoltaic roof panels to convert sunlight into electricity.

Minister McCausland said: 'The delivery of high quality, energy efficient housing is a key priority for my Department. Rising energy costs will impact on homes where incomes are already under pressure. The developers of this innovative housing scheme have gone the extra mile to ensure that tenants will benefit from real savings in their heating and lighting bills.'

Minister McCausland continued: 'Social housing in Northern Ireland is already leading the way in building houses which meet high levels of sustainability. This latest scheme pushes the boundaries further and will provide valuable learning as we look to extend the technologies into more of our new housing stock.'

The Minister was shown around some of the new homes by tenants Robert Mackey-Cromie and Sinead O'Reilly.

Oaklee Homes Group Chairperson Sylvia Doran provided a welcome speech for the new tenants of Drumalla Park:
"I am delighted today to be opening this exciting new housing development. This innovative scheme brings together great advances in design and addresses sustainability on two fronts. It is built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 standard and is also a pilot project under the Climate Change's Renewable Construction Demonstrator Programme. The beautiful scheme has already been recognised by the Belfast Telegraph as one of the 50 most desirable homes in Northern Ireland and has also received a coveted Green Apple Environment Award for its energy efficiency. Finally, I offer my best wishes to the new residents and I hope they have many happy days in Drumalla Park."