New homes under construction at the former St Patrick’s Barracks site in Ballymena. (Image: Fossies Drone Adventures)
Four hundred and 35 new homes were constructed in Mid and East Antrim during the past year, according to the borough council’s Housing Land Availability Report for June 2023/May 2024.
The survey was carried out to provide information on potential locations for new housing development in settlements and to inform the Local Development Plan with regard to the designation of land for housing.
During the survey period, of the 435 new homes completed in the borough. More than half were built in Carrickfergus, 59 per cent; Ballymena, 24 per cent and Larne, eight per cent with ten per cent in smaller towns, villages and smaller settlements. During the same period, in 2022/23, 260 were constructed in Mid and East Antrim Borough.
The housing monitor estimates that there is land remaining for almost a further 7,000 new homes on 295 hectares of land across Mid and East Antrim.
The report states that there is “significant capacity” remaining in Mid and East Antrim’s three main towns. In Carrickfergus, there is potential for 1,886 new homes, Larne, 1841 and Ballymena, 1,806.
The report which was presented to last month’s meeting of the council’s Planning Committee says:
“To ensure that there is an adequate and continuous supply of available housing land within the borough over the lifetime of the Local Development Plan, it is essential to record the number of dwelling completions and the level of housing land supply remaining available within the settlements on a yearly basis.”
Between June 2023 and May 2024, there were 255 new homes constructed in Carrickfergus, 103 in Ballymena and 34 in Larne. During the same period in 2022/23, there were 133 new homes built in Ballymena, 55 in Larne and one in Carrickfergus.
There were 11 new properties built in Portglenone; nine in Kells and Connor; seven in Greenisland; six in Ballycarry; six in Carnlough; three in Whitehead and one in Glenarm during the most recent 12-month period.
Meanwhile, during a presentation to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, last September, the Housing Executive reported that 60 social housing homes were completed across the council area during 2022/23.
The Housing Executive has predicted that 856 new social housing properties will be needed in Mid and East Antrim by 2027.
The report also noted a need for more accessible housing and at least 47 wheelchair accessible properties.