Council should step in and buy former school

I feel that the South Eastern Education and Library Board have let the Hilden people down very badly by letting the School fall into such a state of repair.

As reported, the Trust is in talks with developers over the school but let it not be forgotten that the school was built by the Barbour family for the people of Hilden to be used by the people of Hilden and not for some developer to make a quick profit.

The school is also a listed building, and is therefore an important part of the heritage of Hilden and of the City of Lisburn. Once it was a shining example of how communities could live together regardless of religion, indeed it was the first integrated school in Northern Ireland, and that alone gives the school special status .

In order to ensure this school, through its unique history, is kept as a worthy reminder as to how Lisburn was the first town in Northern Ireland to have integrated education, the City Council should purchase the school building.

Finances may be tight in today’s market but the building would represent a real bargain in the long term.

It could then be used in partnership with the local community to provide the much needed community facilities that are missing from the Hilden area.

Fair Play To Hilden