Mid and East Antrim councillors have been told of “cosmetic improvements” planned for Dunluce Street in Larne.

A report presented to a recent meeting of the borough council’s Environment and Economy Committee, said the scheme will include cleaning and painting of property facades and gable walls, treatment of downpipes and guttering and replacement of hoarding at the derelict gap site.

Dunluce Street, a town centre thoroughfare, had to close to traffic for 18 months previously as a safety precaution due to the condition of a derelict building.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council took legal action over the premises resulting in a court order being served on a property owner to undertake repairs before a council contractor carried out the work.

Councillors were told “cosmetic improvements” are planned for Larne's Dunluce Street. Photo: Local Democracy Reporting Service

placeholder image — Councillors were told “cosmetic improvements” are planned for Larne's Dunluce Street. Photo: Local Democracy Reporting Service

A quarter of properties in Larne town centre are vacant, according to an audit carried out by the local government authority last year. Of these, 12 buildings are either derelict and deemed unfit for occupancy with Dunluce Street and Point Street the worst affected.

At the committee meeting, councillors were also reminded of plans to create a temporary ‘pop-up park’ in Larne town centre between Main Street and Point Street,

In October, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council held a consultation event to seek views of the community for designs. Further engagement has also taken place with the voluntary group Larne Renovation Generation and representatives from Jubilee Farm, a community farm and social enterprise.

Speaking at the public consultation event, Andy King, of Larne Renovation Generation, said: “We have been praying for this for years. We would be 100 per cent supportive. It has been an eyesore for a long time.”

Proposed site of community garden in Larne town centre. Photo: Local Democracy Reporting Service

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The council has secured funding of £154,000 from Department for Communities (DfC) which is almost 90 per cent of the cost of the project.

The local authority plans to create a temporary community space at the derelict site of the former Cellars pub. A landscape architect team has been appointed to design the facility.

Eamon McMullan, the council’s capital regeneration manager, explained previously: “It is an opportunity to do something on a short term basis that opens up the space and makes it more attractive for the people in the town, businesses and people coming to shop.”

He indicated the development will be in place for between two to four years.

Meanwhile, a proposed Dilapidation Bill will give local authorities in Northern Ireland powers to address dilapidation, dangerous or neglected buildings and sites. It would allow council to carry our work themselves and recover costs if owners fail to act.

They will be able to issue a range of enforcement notices from a maintenance notice for minor neglect to a dilapidation notice which requires a person with an interest in the premises to demolish the whole of part of the building within a specified period or carry out work within a set period.

District councils currently lack consistent powers in this area. The Bill aims to provide them with a modern and fit for purpose province-wide enforcement regime.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter