'˜Dunmurry tower blocks will be maintained'

Brenda Hale with Councillor Margaret Tolerton and former members of The Dales Community Association, Mr Ian Campkin and Mrs Barbara Horner.

The organisation was responding to comments made by DUP Lagan Valley election candidate Brenda Hale, who has been lobbying for improvement works at the tower blocks.

Stressing that local residents have been campaigning for improvements to the flats since 2005, Mrs Hale said that while there have been repairs to communal lifts, “the pressing issue of chronic condensation and damp and mould continue to be a serious concern.”

While the Housing Executive is committed to a long-term strategy of decommissioning its high-rise blocks, Mrs Hale said she is “awaiting a comprehensive action plan” for the Dales and Moynes flats.

Responding, a Housing Executive spokesperson said the NIHE Board has decided that its “long term strategy should be to remove all tower blocks over a period which has not yet been determined.”

“The NIHE Board has requested officers to develop a comprehensive action plan for each tower block based on the option appraisals and to engage with tenants, communities and local political representatives to identify future solutions. This work has now commenced,” the spokesperson explained.

“The Housing Executive will continue to maintain all tower blocks, as required.”