Plan for GreenislandHouse nears fruition

Applications are now being accepted for a new £4.2 million sheltered housing development which is nearing completion in Carrick.
Sod cutting on the site of the new Greenisland House.Sod cutting on the site of the new Greenisland House.
Sod cutting on the site of the new Greenisland House.

Greenisland House at Shore Road will provide accommodation for “older people with support needs”.

It will feature a total of 32 properties designed for one or two occupants and some for wheelchair users.

The controversial development is located on the site of the former Greenisland House residential home owned by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

The supported living scheme had been delayed due to land ownership issue.

The scheme had been due to start originally by the end of March 2014.

The new provision has been given a cautious welcome by Alliance MLA and former Greenisland councillor Stewart Dickson who said: “It’s going to be great for the services it will provide, however we will have a serious gap for what it did in provision of residential care.”

Carrick councillors staged a mass walk-out at a public meeting organised by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust to address concerns in January 2009 over the proposed closure of the residential facility and went on to pass a vote of no confidence in the Trust as a result.

Greenisland House was one of five earmarked by the Trust for closure.

The Assembly backed a motion opposing the closure of these residential care homes.

There was also strong opposition to the proposal by residents, relatives and employees.

The Trust insisted that the homes, most of which were built in the 1960s, were outdated and refurbishment was not an option.

The new facility will provide residents with their own self-contained accommodation with Health Trust staff on hand to provide support.

Apply by contacting Stephanie Bennis, at Choice on 0300 11122111, the Housing Executive, your social worker or Triangle Housing at www.trianglehousing.org.uk.