A derelict Lisburn tax office is set for major housing plans as an ‘eyesore’ to the city is removed

The council’s recent planning committee unanimously signed off on the Bangor West Ltd application.

The Moira House site is the city’s old HMRC tax office on the Hillsborough Road, which has become the focus of anti-social behaviour and vandalism since it closed down in 2020.

In chambers, an agent for the applicant said: “This development will be for 30 homes for both private sale and affordable housing provision.

“It will develop a pedestrian linkage to the Hillsborough Road on a long term vacant site previously occupied by HMRC.

“It will remove a derelict building that currently has a negative visual impact and put in its place a well thought out high quality housing scheme.”

Councillor Pat Catney said: "How soon would there be feet on the ground to develop this site?

“This is a site, which I believe has been an eyesore on Lisburn for years.

“This is the main gateway into Lisburn and it is great to see it is going to be developed.”

The agent told the chamber a time-frame of four to six months was expected depending on the planning process.

Alderman James Tinsley said: "Everyone has been driving up that road for years and all they see is a derelict site.

“First of all the public will be glad to get rid of a tax office even if it is derelict.

“But, in all honestly I am delighted to see that something will now be happening and will tidy up that whole entrance coming into Lisburn from Sprucefield. I think it is great for the city as a whole.”

A spokesperson for Bangor West Ltd said: “We are pleased to see the scheme granted approval.

“The site has stood derelict for six years and securing planning means we can finally begin with replacing it with a high-quality development that we are sure will do the area proud.

“We’d like to thank TSA planning agents and Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and everyone who engaged with the application, and look forward to starting on site.”