It was the scene of police brutality and a symbol of oppression in the past, but this week it’s the scene of children playing and happy families.
Ten families from the Short Strand started to unpack their belongings and move into their new homes this week – situated on the former Mountpottinger barracks site.
Ten new state-of-the-art energy efficient homes were built on the notorious site, which after much campaigning closed and was bought by the Department for Social Development (DSD) for much needed social housing in 2011.
Sinn Féin Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile welcomed the opening of the new social homes saying it was “great news, not just for the families, but for the entire Short Strand area”. He added: “There is a need for increased housing provision in the area and alongside this the monolith that was Mountpottinger barracks and the negative history within the local area associated with it have been transformed into a positive and vibrant development.
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish the new tenants of these homes all the best for the future as they move in.”
And the residents have been equally impressed with their modern new homes.
“The homes are really spacious,” said a delighted Siobhán Murray. “We only got the keys late last Wednesday so it’s been all go getting everything organised. We are over the moon to have moved in.”
