Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for Communities to detail what newbuild social housing projects are curerntly unable to proceed due to the absence of adequate water infrastructure.
Minister for Communities: This issue is an operational matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
I have sought the requested information from the Chief Executive, who has advised me as follows:
“The Housing Executive is involved in on-going engagement with NI Water to review the status of all proposed new social housing schemes currently included in the Social Housing Development Programme (SHDP) for the period 2025/26 – 2027/28. Initial feedback provided by NI Water suggests that there are a small number of planned social housing schemes (c 14%) for which an NI Water capital upgrade is required before a connection can be permitted i.e. a connection to the wastewater system is outside the scope of a ‘zero-detriment’ developer intervention. Further engagement is required to determine if delivery of any of these proposals can be unlocked.
However, most planned new social housing schemes over the next 3 years can proceed, as either an agreement has been reached or is in progress with NI Water via the Wastewater Impact Assessment process.
NI Water have also offered to hold a one-day workshop with all developing housing associations in late summer 2025 to enhance the level of engagement with the sector.
In addition to the on-going assessment of programmed new social housing schemes, the Housing Executive is commencing engagement with NI Water regarding new housing delivery beyond the current 3-Year SHDP in the context of long-term housing need and NI Water’s next Price Control period (PC28).”
ENDS
Your MLA 