Minister for Communities visits quality new build development in Jordanstown

Gordon Lyons MLA, Minister for Communities, recently visited Alskea Ltd’s Oakfield Park housing development in Jordanstown. The Minister learned first-hand about the latest in high-quality house building and modern construction practice.

Accompanied by NHBC’s Regional Director for Northern Ireland, Padraig Venney, and Alskea Ltd’s Director, Shane Maguire and Site Manager, Cathal Brannigan, Mr Lyons toured the site which features a mixture of detached and semi-detached homes. Situated within walking distance of the shoreline of Belfast Lough, this new development offers two- and three-storey homes with Jordanstown Railway station in easy reach.

Mr Lyons discussed the issues affecting housing supply of all tenures and how NHBC’s Pride in the Job awards work to improve house building construction quality. He also had the opportunity to see first-hand the level of organisation and processes behind modern house building.

During the visit, Mr Lyons congratulated Oakfield Park’s award-winning Site Manager, Cathal Brannigan, for his recent NHBC Pride in Job award win. Mr Brannigan, 32, was named Northern Ireland Regional Award winner in the Medium Builder category of the 2024 awards, an impressive accolade at his young age, marking his high standards of workmanship and attention to detail.

The Pride in the Job Awards reflects the commitment new home warranty and insurance provider NHBC has to raising standards in the house-building industry across the UK. It recognises and celebrates the vital role site managers play in ensuring new homes are delivered to a high standard. Mr Brannigan will now progress to the NHBC Pride in the Job Supreme Awards, to be held in January 2025 in London.

Padraig Venney, Regional Director for Northern Ireland at NHBC, commented, “It was a pleasure to meet Mr Lyons, and we’re grateful he took the time to visit Alskea Ltd’s Oakfield Park development in Jordanstown. It’s a prime example of quality house building led by a dedicated site manager. Cathal is a multi-award-winning site manager with a long record of achievement, having also won the Medium Builder category at the NHBC Pride in the Job Supreme awards 2023. This was the very first time a Northern Irish builder had won the Supreme award in this category.”

For over 40 years NHBC’s Pride in the Job awards have championed the highest standards of house building in the UK. The homes Mr Lyons visited will be enjoyed by their residents for decades to come.