Merville Garden Village is a post World War Two housing development north of Belfast encompassing approximately 450 dwelling units,
built in the style of the garden city movement. It has been represented over the past 50 years by the Merville Residents' Association, one
of the oldest constituted associations in Northern Ireland . The area has remained “neutral” being “mixed” in religion over the period of
the conflict in Northern Ireland, and supports a strong, integrated and active community focus for all its residents and the wider the wider
community of North Belfast and Newtownabbey.
Since its incorporation in February 2002, through the mandate of the residents of Merville Garden Village, Merville House Limited has secured the c.£1million to enable the company to restore a late eighteenth century manor house, to serve as a focus of community activity, with a commercial element to ensure the long term sustainability of the project.
The aims of the company are to:-
• Promote Merville, and in particular Merville House, as a neutral venue for use by the wider communities polarised by sectarian conflict;
• Provide a place of safety for vulnerable groups;
• Create a sustainable community/private venture;
• Protect and enhance an important part of local heritage; and
• Develop a flagship community project in Newtownabbey/North Belfast – and in Northern Ireland .
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