The condition of Northern Ireland's listed buildings is deteriorating, with a significant increase in vacancies, according to new research published today by the Department for Communities.

The "Survey on the Condition of Listed Buildings," which assessed a statistically reliable sample of 1,504 structures over an 11-month period, has painted what Communities Minister Gordon Lyons described as a "very worrying picture".

While 61.3% of listed buildings were rated as being in 'Very good/Good' or 'Average' condition, this represents a notable decline from previous surveys. The figure is 15.6% lower than in a similar survey conducted in 2014/15 (76.9%) and marks a further 8.8% drop from 2004/05 (85.7%), indicating a 24.4% worsening in condition over two decades, with the decline appearing to accelerate in the last ten years.

The survey also revealed that a third (33.3%) of listed buildings are currently vacant, an 11% increase from the 22.3% vacancy rate recorded in the 2014/15 survey.

Publishing the research, Minister Lyons said: "This is a finite resource of just over 9,000 structures that is important, not just as a tangible representation of our history but because of the character it brings and the economic and social potential it holds for our region. Heritage is a key driver of tourism to Northern Ireland and a source of civic pride and identity. Once lost, it and the potential that it holds are gone forever." The survey also found that buildings graded A and B+ were generally in better condition than those graded B1, B2, and B. Church-owned buildings were more likely to be in 'Very good/Good' condition (39.1%) compared to privately owned (21.7%) and publicly owned (23.1%) listed buildings. There were also small but statistically significant differences in condition based on location, with urban and provincial town buildings faring slightly better than those in rural areas.

Interestingly, the data did not show a current significant impact on building condition due to location in areas at risk of future climate change indicators such as humidity, overheating, storm damage, or heavy rainfall.

Minister Lyons has tasked his Department to consider these findings within the upcoming Heritage, Culture and Creativity Programme. "The new Programme will deliver policies for arts, museums, public libraries and the historic environment. These are due to go to public consultation this year and my hope is that the Historic Environment Policy will provide the step change that we need and help kickstart a proper appreciation of our built heritage - what we have and how it can be utilised creatively, for public benefit," he stated.

The research delivers on a ministerial commitment made in response to the Culture, Arts and Heritage Taskforce report. The full report can be viewed on the Department for Communities website.