THE site of the former St Kevin's Hall in North Belfast – once earmarked for social housing – could instead be sold to accommodate an electricity substation.
The 0.6 acre site is located on the junction of North Queen Street and Frederick Street.
St Kevin's Hall which was located on the site closed in 2015 and was demolished a short time later. The site has been on the market since last year.
Now, the Housing Executive have agreed to lift any restrictive covenants linked to the site with no viable social housing proposal brought forward.
Frank Dempsey from Carrick Hill Residents' Association, who has long campaigned for social housing on the site, explained: "The Housing Executive gave the Catholic Church a 10,000 year lease on the site in 1985.
"The Catholic Church then decided it was not profitable and closed it (St Kevin's Hall) in 2015. It was then demolished a short time later.
Frank Dempsey, from Carrick Hill Residents Association at the site
"Ever since, we have been back and forward to the Catholic Church asking to release the site for social housing.
"The Housing Executive, who owned the site, wanted it for social housing but with a 10,000 year lease on the site, but the Catholic Church decided to put it on the market.
"We had a meeting with a private developer and the Housing Executive who agreed to put social housing on the site if he could purchase it.
"The developer met the Catholic Church and a figure of £3 million was mentioned."
Energy infrastructure firm SONI, who have previously expressed an interest in the site remain interested in the site for a substation. The company, which works closely with Northern Ireland Electricity Networks, develops, operates and manages the local grid.
"Despite the needs of people in this parish, the Catholic Church seem fit to sell it for profit," added Frank.
"We are now in the situation where generators could go on that site instead of much-needed social housing."
A Housing Executive spokesperson said: “After legal advice, we have agreed, in principle, to lift the restrictive covenants on the former site of St Kevin’s Hall in North Belfast. We are currently dealing with this via our internal approval processes.
“We have consistently supported the provision of social housing at this site, however, no viable social housing proposal has been brought forward for it, despite housing associations exploring potential developments there.
“We will be updating local community representatives on our position at the earliest opportunity.”
Fr Eddie Magee, Diocese of Down and Connor spokesman, said: “The parish continues to explore a number of proposed plans for this site, including the sale of the leasehold.
"In accordance with the stated aims and objectives of the Down and Connor Diocesan Trust, proceeds of any sale of parish property will seek to address outstanding parish debts and enable the parish to allocate funds for parish improvements and provide effective sacramental and pastoral provision to its parishioners”.
SONI said the St Kevin’s site is one of a “number of locations” being considered for a substation in North Belfast.
“Any site that is selected will be subject to a community consultation and the full planning process,” they added.
