Plan to list building ‘could lead to closure’ of Glenavy hall

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency wants to list the hall as being a building of “special architectural or historic interest” and sought the views of the hall’s trustees.

Responding on behalf of the trustees Keith Harbinson said listing would have “a crippling effect” on the non-profit making Trustees’ ability to “maintain the building to an acceptable standard so as to provide a home for the various organisations that meet within it.”

He continued: “I appreciate that various grants are available to assist with the upkeep of a listed building, however I would also respectfully suggest that the level of investment required by the owners would far exceed that which current owners would be capable of raising, thus rendering the organisations that use the Hall presently, homeless in the long term, which in my view would be to undermine the entire historical ethos that has existed for approaching 150 years and on which the entire historical interest argument is predicated.”

He concluded: “I would urge you (the Environment Agency) not to list this building and by doing so, help preserve its usage for future generations. It is my belief that to list this building, it will have such an effect as to at best significantly reduce the usage of the hall and at worst end it completely. Should the latter prevail then I view this in reality as leading to the social engineering of the minority Protestant community in Glenavy.”

The matter was also raised at a recent meeting of Lisburn City Council’s Planning Committee. Alderman Paul Givan said the trustees were “strongly opposed” to the listing of the building. “It makes it so restrictive for organisations to refurbish and invest in the building,” he continued.

“This hall has been there for decades and Trustees want to make sure it is utilised but this listing could lead to it being closed.”

The chairman of the Planning Committee Cllr James Tinsley, added: “Listing sounds good but sometimes it restricts what you can do.” Mr Givan proposed the Council seek a meeting with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to discuss the matter. Thisl was seconded by Councillor John Palmer and agreed.

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