A Derry councillor has used his last meeting to issue a call to developers to ensure that any new local housing projects are built with the appropriate level of community facilities.
Sinn Fein’s Tony Hassan made the comments at the monthly meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council held on Thursday afternoon, which marked Cllr Hassan’s last as an elected representative.
A long-time advocate of the need for more -and better social housing – in his electoral ward and further afield, Cllr Hassan used his last meeting to appeal for those involved in future social housing projects locally to ensure that new developments in the city are constructed with the necessary infrastructure and facilities in place.
The council’s Planning Committee recently approved outline planning permission for the development of land west of the Buncrana Road between Whitehouse Road and Benview Estate, Coshquin in Derry, known as the H2 site, for residential development that would include a mix of housing, local community facilities, open space, cycle / pedestrian routes and vehicular access, a primary school, drainage and other infrastructure.
Commenting, Cllr Hassan said that while he welcomed progress on such developments and more planning powers being given to councillors, the need for social housing was now more pressing than ever.
“I joined the council in 1997 and there was 800 people on the housing waiting list - now there are 3,500 people on it,” he said.
“We shouldn’t be building Galliaghs anymore, if you look at the Skeoge area we see more housing but we don’t see any community facilities or recreational infrastructure.
“We have to be looking at community infrastructure and youth facilities when they (planning applications) come in.”
Cllr Hassan added that problems experiencing with the Galliagh area in regards to building community facilities should not be repeated.
“There was a 45 year struggle to get a community centre for Galliagh,” he continued.
ABOVE - an aerial image of the planned new H2 housing development on the Buncrana Road.
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email gareth@derrynews.net at any time.