Government issues warning over listed building

The government has served an urgent works motice to a leading property developer over a listed building in Co Antrim.

Millionaire property developer Dilgit Rana was issued the notice for the Cairndhu building in Larne which has been a listed building since in 1979.

The Department of Environment (DoE) issued the notice citing a damaged roof, severe leaking, and damage to the interior, as reasons for its decision.

Commenting on her department's decision, Environment Minister Angela Smith said: “When I took up the environment portfolio late last year, I promised that I would be tough on those who did not protect our built heritage.

"We have now issued an urgent works notice on the owner of this attractive, large, multi-gabled building, Cairndhu. The owner must carry out remedial works in the very near future otherwise we have the power to do the necessary work ourselves and to bill the owner.

“Make no mistake, the DoE will be pursuing other similar cases over the coming months. Over the past few months my officials have been compiling a list of buildings which are considered to be significantly at risk. I would remind owners that it is their responsibility to care for their historic listed buildings."

Cairndhu is a large, multi-gabled building designed in a Tudor style. It has a range of two and three-storey parts. It was listed on 23 October 1979 and is graded B1.

Today's decision follows hot on the heels of the repairs notice issued by the DoE on the owner of the listed Stables Block at Zion House, Sion Mills.

(MB)