An apartment block in Derry deemed "no longer fit for purpose" is set for a major facelift after approval was given for the renovation of the building.
The Rockmills development (pictured) on the Strand Road was first constructed in the late 1980s as student accommodation, but in recent years has fallen into disrepair and been the source of anti-social behaviour.
However, approval has now been given to Northern Ireland’s largest social housing organisation, Choice Housing, to now carry out a refit of the building and surrounding site which will see additional accommodation and a major programme of repairs and improvements undertaken.
The additional accommodation will see the 86 apartments at the building re-modelled and increased to 96 dwellings.
Approval was issued for the upgrade at a meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council Planning Committee.
A planning officer told the meeting that the Rockmills site was ‘not fit for purpose anymore’ and ‘in need of a re-fit’.
He added the building was ‘quite run down and more suited to student accommodation’, adding that the applicant, Choice Housing, hoped the new-look building would ‘help alleviate social housing needs in the city.’
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