The Chairman of Fermanagh District Council, Councillor Thomas O'Reilly today officially cut the first sod to launch the development of the second phase of Clanmil Housing Association's family housing scheme at Ballaghmore Heights in Enniskillen.

Local political and community representatives joined Clanmil on site to celebrate the commencement of the �1.3 million housing development.

The new development, which is scheduled for completion in Spring 2014, will provide 14 homes, comprising four three bed houses and ten two bed houses. The new homes will be built to high energy efficiency standards making them 44 per cent more energy efficient than homes designed to current building control standards, and to a high design specification, including Lifetime Homes and Secured by Design standards, which ensure added security for tenants and flexibility of adaptation if required at a later date.

Features such as solar photovoltaic panels and a rain water recycling system will help make these homes environmentally friendly while also reducing running costs.

The development is being funded by a combination of private finance secured by Clanmil Housing in partnership with the Northern Bank and housing association grant provided by the Department for Social Development through the Housing Executive.

The new homes will be allocated in line with the terms of the Common Selection Scheme from the social housing waiting list which is maintained by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Read more on this story in Thursday's Impartial Reporter