A Housing strategy for the greater Sailortown district

April 08

Junction of Short St and Princes Dock St.

Junction of Short St and Pilot St.

Jan 2008

Houses in Short Street begin to take shape.

Sept 2007

Work commences on former Clows Mill site to

build new social housing in Sailortown

April 2006

Demolition of Clows Mill to make

way for new housing development

October 2005

Plans for new housing on site of former Clow's Mill

Representatives from Clanmil Housing and members of the local Sailortown community at the launch of planned  housing scheme in Princes' Dock St

Members of the Board of Clanmil  Housing Association announce its procurement

of the former mill site in Princes' Dock Street where it is expected to build a number of

family size homes as well as apartments. The planned development of this project next to St.

Joseph's Church has been welcomed by local housing campaigners as part of its regeneration

strategy for the greater Sailortown district

Signs erected on the old Clow's Mill building highlighting plans to build houses

October 2004

New Housing Development Planned

for Princes Dock St.

Clanmil Housing Association plan to build social housing on the site of the vacant Clow's Mill in Princes Dock street beside St. Joseph's Church. The housing body has been in discussion with AWG ltd. who currently own property on both sides of the church. AWG had originally planned a private residential and commercial development on the site.

Provisional drawings for housing at Princes Dock Street

The development will consist of a number of family houses and apartments. At present Clanmill Housing is in discussion with The DRD to secure funding for this project although it is likely that a percentage of the capital  will also have to be sourced from the private sector in the form of a long term loan. Local campaigners from the Sailortown Society, The Save St Joseph's Campaign and the St Patrick's/ St Joseph's Housing Committee have met with representatives from Clanmil and AWG to ensure that local people have the opportunity to participate from the outset.

Plans for new housing development in Sailortown

In principle, the proposed plans have been welcomed by local groups, given the current housing crisis in North Belfast. However, the whole process is still at an early stage with many obstacles ahead. Nevertheless, with some imagination and a willingness from all interested parties this could herald a new Sailortown for a new millennium and be the cornerstone for the Sailortown Urban Village.

6th May 2004

Urban village planned for Belfast dockland

A North Belfast housing action group is launching its plans for an urban village in the city’s dockland area.

The St Patrick’s and St Joseph’s Housing Committee will unveil its vision for a new Sailortown, with a mix of social and private housing, schools and businesses, at an event open to the public at Carrick Hill Community Centre in Regent Street at 11.00am on Thursday May 6th.

The urban village concept is similar to the award-winning Eldonian development which has transformed the dockland community in Liverpool.

Committee spokesman Frank Dempsey said: “ This is our alternative to the disastrous North Belfast Housing Strategy that has failed to reduce chronic housing shortages in this part of the city since it was launched nearly four years ago.

“ The concept mirrors that which has succeeded in revitalising the Liverpool dockland community and, just as in Merseyside, local people, with local knowledge and real commitment, are building for a better future.

“ Housing waiting lists in North Belfast, of which 80 per cent of waiters are Nationalists, are at an all-time high and the current strategy has failed to address these effectively.

“ The new Sailortown, with its mix of social and private housing, will slash those lists dramatically and provide homes worthy of the name.

“ The urban village concept has a proven record of success that deserves the support of all those agencies concerned with housing in this city.”

A booklet, which accompanied the launch, is available from the St Patrick’s and St Joseph’s Housing Committee – telephone Belfast 90 231 602.

ends