A social housing development on Adam Street off Duncairn Gardens in north Belfast has stalled due to water connection issues. The site sits within a closed catchment area limited by sewer capacity, according to Stormont's communities department.

The project aims to redevelop a former bonfire location at the interface between Tiger's Bay and New Lodge areas. A housing association received the appointment from the Department for Communities in April 2024 to handle the work.

NI Water confirmed the site's constraints and stated that the developer is working through a wastewater impact assessment process to identify a connection solution. The communities department wants to deliver the housing as soon as possible.

Stormont's infrastructure department reported ongoing efforts to resolve the issue. Officials are reviewing an alternative redevelopment proposal from a nearby business centre, made in January this year. The department's goal of providing housing on the site stays the same.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins focuses on unlocking capacity, with NI Water receiving over £500 million in public funds this year, or 92% of its operational needs. The minister works on projects to support more social housing connections.

SDLP north Belfast councillor Carl Whyte blamed inadequate funding for NI Water and said the scheme's future in this high-need interface area is in doubt. He noted that wooden pallets have returned to the site after several years without a bonfire, risking local disruption.

Build Homes NI director Paul McErlean stated that the sewage system issues block needed housing and called for a long-term fix to NI Water's £2 billion funding gap.