'A hugely important step in delivering much-needed social homes': Major 739-home developments approved in landmark boost for Northern Ireland housing
Apex Housing Association (Apex) welcomes approval for two major residential developments in Londonderry, delivering more than 700 new homes alongside community and neighbourhood facilities
The two developments, located at Springtown Road and Upper Galliagh Road, were approved by Derry City and Strabane District Council Planning Committee and represent one of the most significant housing investments in the city in recent years.
They will see the delivery of 739 new homes across both developments, including a mix of houses and apartments designed to create sustainable neighbourhoods with high-quality public spaces and local facilities.
The Springtown Road development, being brought forward in partnership with Kevin Watson Properties Ltd, will provide 259 affordable homes alongside a new community centre and public open space with an equipped children’s play area.
During the meeting the Committee also approved plans for a major mixed-use residential development at lands on the Upper Galliagh Road.
This development will deliver 480 new residential units, comprising 343 two-storey houses (including detached, semi-detached and terraced homes) and 137 apartments in a mix of two and three-storey blocks. The scheme also includes seven retail units with associated service area, two three-storey office blocks, communal open spaces including allotments and a multi-use games area, landscaping and car parking.
Together, the developments represent a significant contribution towards addressing the critical shortage of affordable homes across the North West, while creating vibrant, sustainable communities with access to services, employment and public transport.
Both developments have a strong emphasis on sustainable design and place-making, including extensive tree planting, landscaping green infrastructure, walkable street networks and accessible public spaces designed to promote health and wellbeing.
Together the developments mark an important milestone in Apex Housing Association’s ongoing programme of delivering high-quality homes for communities across Northern Ireland. These developments will make a significant contribution to the 1,750 homes targeted for delivery in the NIHE Social Housing Development Programme for 2025/2026.
Welcoming the decisions, chair of the Planning Committee, councillor John Boyle, added: “I am delighted that Committee members have given their support to these two significant housing developments. Together, they represent a major investment in our city and will go a long way towards addressing the current stress on the supply of good quality social and affordable housing in the Derry area.
“The creation of quality, modern housing, supported by appropriate infrastructure, community facilities and strong public transport links, is a key priority for Council. These developments will not only provide much-needed homes for hundreds of families, but will also help support sustainable, balanced growth across our city.”
The Committee noted that both schemes include important infrastructure improvements, community amenities and open spaces designed to support inclusive, sustainable neighbourhoods.
Sheena McCallion, chief executive of Apex, said: “Housing is one of the most pressing challenges facing communities across Northern Ireland, and particularly in the North West where demand continues to outpace supply. These developments demonstrate Apex’s commitment to working in partnership with local councils, statutory bodies and communities to deliver high-quality homes in sustainable locations, helping to meet the social and affordable housing targets set out in the Programme for Government 2024–27 and the Housing Supply Strategy 2024–39.
"By combining new homes with green space, community facilities and neighbourhood services, we are helping to create places where people can put down roots, raise families and build strong communities for the future.”
The development at Upper Galliagh forms part of a wider master plan for a residential-led mixed-use neighbourhood with the first phase of 262 homes already occupied. The approved development, alongside future phases, will deliver a total of 700 additional new homes in this part of the city.
The Springtown Road developments includes a new community facility and is supported by extensive areas of open space helping to create a strong focal point for residents and important social infrastructure for the area.
Barry Kerr, Apex’s executive director of Development, added: “These planning approvals represent a hugely important step in delivering much-needed social homes for people in housing need across the North West. The demand for high-quality, affordable housing across the region remains extremely high, and these developments will make a meaningful contribution to addressing that need while supporting the continued growth of the city and its surrounding communities.”
Construction of the developments will support local employment and supply chains while delivering long-term investment in housing and community infrastructure across the North West.
The approvals represent a significant milestone in Apex Housing Association’s ongoing programme of investment to deliver new homes and sustainable communities across Northern Ireland.