260 new social homes set for Skeoge area of Derry/Londonderry

by Gráinne Connolly

Derry City and Strabane Council has given planning permission to Apex Housing, to build 260 new social homes in the Skeoge lands in Derry/Londonderry.

The news has been welcomed by local Councillor Caoimhe McKnight who says the development is "badly needed" for the number of people waiting for a home in the city. 

"This is a good news story for social housing provision in Derry and for the hundreds of people on the homeless waiting list.

"Sinn éin held meetings recently with the Education Authority, Council, Community groups and other stakeholders as part of a wider and long term engagement around zoned education land at Skeoge. 

"We are asking that community, youth and sporting facilities be developed at Skeoge to accommodate the growing community and their needs.

"We have strongly stated to the statutory agencies and housing associations that we don't want to see the mistakes of the past in areas like Galliagh which was left with very little infrastructure, leaving the community years to catch up. 

"The number of people waiting for a home in the city has increased dramatically over the past few years and these houses will go some way to alleviating that problem.

"I will continue that lobby at every opportunity to ensure that the need for new social housing schemes is kept firmly on the agenda in the city."