Stalled development: Is Northern Ireland closed for business?

THE need for new housing and commercial development across Northern Ireland has never been more urgent, yet progress is being held back by a significant issue: outdated wastewater management infrastructure.

Developers, both residential and commercial, are facing frustrating delays as many projects grind to a halt due to inadequate wastewater connections and treatment capacity.

At Manor Architects, we’ve spent over two years researching and addressing these challenges.

Our deep understanding of the environmental and infrastructure obstacles facing developers has driven us to find sustainable solutions.

The issue, however, is deeply rooted in Northern Ireland’s water management systems, which have seen little investment for decades.

We have piloted innovative wastewater management schemes across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, proving that these solutions are viable from inception to completion

—  Johann Muldoon

Out of the 134 settlements slated for development, 128 are at a stand-still due to insufficient wastewater infrastructure.

Ageing treatment plants and overwhelmed watercourses are unable to cope with the demands of new developments. As a result, housing delivery is stagnant, planning approvals are delayed, and industrial growth is stifled.

For developers, this situation is highly frustrating. Projects that could solve Northern Ireland’s housing shortage and drive economic expansion are indefinitely delayed.

This affects not only the construction industry but also potential homeowners and businesses waiting on these developments.

However, Manor Architects and our partner company, Manor Mont Enviro, have been actively working on a solution. We have piloted innovative wastewater management schemes across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, proving that these solutions are viable from inception to completion.

These initiatives offer a proven answer across all industry sectors, providing relief for residential, commercial, industrial, anaerobic, and agricultural projects. We’ve demonstrated that these innovations work, ensuring developments can move forward sustainably.

Our work has also garnered support from key stakeholders. We have met with various statutory organisations across Northern Ireland, and the response has been

overwhelmingly positive. These bodies recognise the urgency of the situation and have been agreeable to the solutions we’ve provided. They, like us, are keen to resolve the issues that are holding back development and threatening economic growth.

Currently, our live schemes and proposals span six council areas in Northern Ireland, reflecting our broad commitment to solving this crisis. These projects serve as a model for what can be achieved with the right investment in infrastructure and innovative thinking.

At Manor Architects, with our partner Manor Mont Enviro, we are committed to leading the charge on this front. We understand the frustrations developers face and are focused on providing practical, sustainable solutions that benefit all stakeholders. The time for action is now – before these infrastructure shortcomings further hinder Northern Ireland’s future.

Together, with the support of statutory bodies and forward-thinking solutions, we can ensure Northern Ireland is not closed for business.