A new apartment development by Clanmil Housing on the site of the former Stormont Inn in east Belfast has been given a new name by two local school children. 

Reece Haddock from Victoria Park Primary School and Olly Reid from Strandtown Primary School both came up with a variation of the same name - Cranthorpe Corner - drawing inspiration from a former hotel building located nearby.   

The pupils were welcomed to the Holywood Road site by Jan Sloan, Executive Director of Development and New Business at Clanmil, where they were joined by local political representatives.  

The naming competition was launched last autumn, and pupils from two local primary schools were invited to take part. The standard of entries was very high, and Reece and Olly were declared joint winners, each receiving an Amazon voucher for their efforts.  

Reece chose the name after discovering that it was the name of the function suite at the former Park Avenue Hotel opposite the site where his christening party had been held, while Olly was inspired by the name of the original house that was converted into the hotel.  

Jan Sloan, Executive Director of Development and New Business at Clanmil said: 
“Well done to Olly and Reece for their fantastic ideas and thank you to their schools for helping with the competition. It is wonderful to see such great progress being made on these new apartments and to know that we are helping to ease the growing housing waiting list in the area by providing high quality homes suited to people aged 55 and over. We look forward to welcoming residents in June 2024.” 

The new development, located at the corner of the Holywood Road and Dundela Crescent will comprise 16 two-bedroom apartments, six one-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom apartment suitable for wheelchair users. The apartments will be allocated from the social housing waiting list and will be for people aged 55 and older.  

The homes are constructed to Lifetime Homes standards to ensure they can be adapted if people’s needs change over time. Safety and security features have also been built into the design and construction of the homes and include enhanced lighting and security measures. 

The total cost of the homes is £4,428,828 including grant funding of £2,848,591 from the Department for Communities through the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. 

UUP Communities spokesperson and East Belfast MLA, Andy Allen MBE said:  
I was delighted to join some of the Clanmil team along with Reece and Olly, who came up with the name for this much-needed housing development, to see the progress being made. The pressure on the housing system across Northern Ireland is well documented, therefore, it is welcome to see housing developments such as this being delivered at pace to provide much needed homes for those who desperately need them. I would also pay tribute to Clanmil Housing for stepping forward to rejuvenate the derelict site to provide this much-needed mix of apartments.  Our housing associations are at the forefront of providing much-needed housing and we must do everything we can to support them in their efforts.” 

Joanne Bunting, DUP East Belfast MLA for added: 
“Congratulations to Reece and Olly for winning this competition and well done to Clanmil for including the local schools in this project. East Belfast has considerable housing need, so it's great to see sites like this being utilised for social and affordable homes. Belmont is a very vibrant community and a great place to live; I look forward to the completion of this development next year and wish those who will be allocated these apartments health and happiness in their new homes.” 

Peter McReynolds, Alliance MLA for East Belfast commented: 
“I welcome the news of this new Clanmil Housing development, which will hopefully be completed by July 2024. Excellent quality social housing is vital in east Belfast, and this scheme will be of enormous benefit to those waiting for years for a home. The development demonstrates great social value and will have a positive impact for our local economy with more people able to make use of our fantastic shops and hospitality.”