Two high-rise Housing Executive blocks in Dunmurry are now expected to be cleared by the end of the year, despite earlier predictions the work could take up to a year and a half.

Demolition of Coolmoyne and Rathmoyne on the Seymour Hill estate began last week, and both towers are coming down at the same time. The Housing Executive had previously indicated a phased approach, with Coolmoyne likely to be demolished first.

Lisburn North DUP councillor Jonathan Craig said about a third of each tower has already been removed. He stated that the area manager expects the contractor to be off site before Christmas, leaving the flats completely gone.

New techniques being used by the demolition contractor are behind the accelerated timeline, according to Craig. The original plan had been to take the buildings down floor by floor over an estimated 18 months.

The towers are part of the Housing Executive’s £308m Tower Block Action Plan, which aims to replace ageing high-rise blocks with new homes following the 2017 Grenfell fire.

The process to pull down the Seymour Hill buildings was due to begin in July 2023 but faced lengthy delays, including asbestos removal and legal proceedings relating to telecom masts.

During a Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council meeting in 2024, then-Housing Executive chief executive Grainia Long told councillors that both towers would not be taken down at the same time and that it would be a phased process, with Coolmoyne first.

A Housing Executive spokesperson said the organisation is pleased with the progress of work at the site and that all safety protocols remain in place.