Official Opening of Princetown Road (October 2009)

Oaklee Housing Association is pleased to announce the Official Opening of Princetown Road, Bangor with Joint Management Partner Mencap. Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex who is patron of the learning disability charity Mencap opened the residential home for adults with profound and multiple learning difficulties.

In 2004, it was acknowledged that the original Evelyn Greer House could no longer provide, or be practicably adapted to provide, accommodation in keeping with the current models of care provision and disability access requirements. Following an appraisal which included consultation with residents, it was decided that the best solution would be to demolish the existing property and replace it on the same site with supported, shared and self-contained apartments together with some communal facilities. The Department for Social Development and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive assisted Oaklee in the redevelopment with a Housing Association Grant of £1.0 million. The scheme was completed in March last year and provides tenants with a unique standard of independent living through 7 self contained apartments along with 4 shared apartments. Each apartment contains a spacious living/dining area and kitchen. All accommodation was designed and constructed to Lifetime Homes standards, secured by Design and ECO Homes 'Good' standard. The total cost of the redevelopment was £1.2 million.

Oaklee Housing Association is proud to work with Mencap, the leading charity in its field and recognized as the voice of people with learning disabilities. Oaklee Housing Association has a longstanding Joint Management Agreement with Mencap, who provide care and support services with Oaklee providing housing management and maintenance for the residents of Princetown Road.

Mrs. Sylvia Doran MBE Chairperson of Oaklee Housing Association who spoke at the Official Opening commented on this significant event for disability housing in Bangor,

"I would like to pay tribute to the staff at Oaklee who worked on this project. I would also like to pay tribute to Mencap as our Joint Management Partner, who have been fully involved during every stage of this project. Finally, to the residents, it is a pleasure to be associated with such a quality scheme and may I wish you every happiness to enjoy your new home."