Mixed reception to luxury flats

An artist's impression of the apartment block

The first private apartments to be built on Belfast's Shankill Road in more than 30 years have had a mixed reception from residents.

Keys to flats in the multi-million pound apartment block are set to be handed over next year.

The Shankill Road has featured prominently in the history of the Northern Ireland Troubles.

It is an area of high social deprivation and some have argued there needs to be more public housing.

'More vibrant area'

Estate agent Simon Briens said: "It is an area which is just a few minutes away from the city centre by bus.

"For somebody with a car, it is a very accessible location.

"As you can see with a lot of the buildings around it, there is new investment going in, there is new commercial and social life going in.

"It is becoming a more vibrant area to live, were it wouldn't have been 2 or 3 years ago."

The site has been wasteland for the past five years

For the past five years the site for the apartment block has been waste ground.

The building will comprise three storeys of 15 two-bedroomed apartments with private balconies and secure parking.

It is thought they could cost in the region of £200,000.

However, a local politician said it was "the wrong type of redevelopment".

DUP councillor Diane Dodds said: "This community needs more social housing, this community needs innovative schemes on affordable housing and that this community will not be regenerated by the provision of flats for investors."