A delegation of ABC Council officers visited Stormont this week to voice concerns around the proposed HED (Historical Environment Division) listing of Marlborough House in Craigavon.
Headed by Councillor Scott Armstrong, the delegation met Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald.
In September 2024, council received consultation from HED regarding the proposed listing, with councillors from across the chamber expressing strong oppositions to the proposal.
The towering complex – opposite Rushmere Shopping Centre – was built in the 1970s as an office block as part of the initial development of the new city of Craigavon.
Marlborough House is currently owned by the Department of Finance, which plans to vacate the premises entirely by the end of 2025.
Listed buildings are those that have ‘special architectural or historic interest’, meaning planning permission for these properties is restricted.
During the meeting with both the Ministers of Finance and Communities, council officers and Councillor Armstrong expressed a number of concerns including economic implications of the listing, the criteria used for listing a building and the consequences of proposed listing of a building of that magnitude and potential development opportunities.
Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Armstrong said: “It is important that this meeting was held, for us as elected representatives and council officers were able to explain our concerns to both the Ministers and their officials. I feel the meeting covered a wide range of issues and everyone in the meeting understood our position.
“The location of Marlborough House is within a significant development area within Craigavon and any potential HED listing could have consequences for the future of the area.
“The Minister of Finance has highlighted that the listing of Marlborough House would have a detrimental impact for the future viability of the site and that costings to bring the building up to standard would cost in the region of £18m.
“The Minister of Finance also noted that the listing may impact negatively on any potential sale.”
He added: “These concerns cannot go unheard, and I am sure the people of Craigavon will not want to be left with the potential of this building lying dormant for years to come and in my mind if this were to happen it would be a hugely important development opportunity missed to develop this key site in central Craigavon.
“The council will have until the 31st of May 2025 to respond to the consultation and then it will be over to the Stormont departments to decide.
“It is my hope that a common sense approach to the proposed HED listing of Marlborough House is found to ensure that this area can be used to its fullest potential.”
It was on September 13 that council was consulted by the Department for Communities Historic Environment Division regarding the proposed listing of Marlborough House under section 80 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Act 2011.
A deadline for response had been given early in November and this was later extended.
Council made the decision to write to the Ministers for Economy, Finance and Communities requesting a delegation from council be facilitated to discuss the thorny issue.
A letter was also issued from the Chief Executive to HED advising that council required additional time to obtain professional advice in order to make an informed response.
HED agreed to an extension of the consultation period until January 8.
Officers then wrote to and met with HED officials and asked that the consultation period be further extended until May 31, next year, “in order that appropriate senior expertise be procured to ensure a comprehensive response is delivered”.
Economy Minister Conor Murphy responded in November to say the matter should be directed to the Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald.
Read more: Eye-watering! £20m-plus to bring Marlborough House up to modern standards
