As plans are being put in place for the Civil Service to vacate the newly listed Marlborough House building in Craigavon, questions have been asked about who will take up their place?
Indeed, a series of questions were put to the Minister of Finance about the future of the controversial property at the NI Assembly on November 4.
Starting the conversation, DUP MLA for Newry and Armagh, William Irwin asked the Minister, John O’Dowd to outline the next steps regarding the Civil Service’s exit.
Minister O’Dowd explained that in-line with his Department’s estate strategy, they are progressing with plans to “divest ourselves of Marlborough House in Craigavon and move forward with replacement accommodation in the area”.
He added: “That will deliver savings at a time of budgetary pressures while providing an efficient, modern working environment for Civil Service staff.
“Marlborough House is the worst-performing site in the Civil Service estate with regard to energy efficiency and is significantly under-occupied. A business case has been approved for replacement accommodation for Civil Service staff, with the preferred option being High Street Mall in Portadown.
“That is progressing, with the accommodation expected to be ready in 2026.
“Notice to all occupants has been issued of the Department’s plans and to vacate the building at the end of their occupational agreements this financial year. Non-Civil Service bodies located in Marlborough House are progressing with their own plans for their future accommodation.”
Thanking the Minister for his response, Mr Irwin then asked if the Minister agreed that the historical environment division’s recent grade B1 listing decision – which has been widely debated among public and politicians alike – will make it “more difficult to repurpose that building or dispose of it on the open market?”
The Minister recognised that there will be “different views and opinions on such matters”, adding: “It is unfortunate that we have reached this position.”
And while he acknowledged that his Department “made its case” to the historical environment division of the Department for Communities and the decision has now been made, he said he was aware of interest in the building from “at least one public-sector organisation”.
He added: “It is assessing the building to see whether it can be incorporated in its plans for future development.
“I hope that that moves forward at pace and that the building does not lie vacant and become a blight on an area of Craigavon that has seen significant investment in recent years and is thriving both commercially and residentially.
“I want to ensure that the building becomes usable again, but it will have do so through a sector other than the Civil Service.”
Sharing Mr Irwin’s concerns for the building’s future under listing restrictions, Deputy Leader of the Alliance party, Eoin Tennyson asked: “Did the Minister make representations to his colleague the Minister for Communities on the listing? Has there been any reappraisal of the Department’s plans for the site following the listing?”
Uncertain, Minister O’Dowd replied: “I am not sure whether I raised that directly with the Minister for Communities in writing — I will clarify that for the Member — but representations were certainly made at official level at my request, because it caused concern.”
However, he reiterated: “Interest has been shown in the site, which could be of huge benefit to the entire area by continuing the progress that we have seen in central Craigavon over many years. I will clarify that point and respond directly to the Member on it, but representations were made through officials at my request.”
Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey then asked if the Minister foresaw future issues with the building’s occupancy – should the “interest party” not proceed… once again citing the listing as a reason for concern.
Minister O’Dowd conceded that the listing “will present challenges to future potential buyers and occupants of the property”.
And he added: “It was simply impossible for us to bring together a business case that would allow us to invest in that building the money that is required to bring it up to modern heat efficiency standards etc.
“Others have a different vision for the use of the building, and I hope that their business case stacks up and that progress is ahead. There will be different views inside and outside the Chamber about some of those matters, but I know that the listing has caused challenges, shall we say, in ensuring that the building is put to future use.”
Justin McNulty, SDLP MLA, said: “Minister, over the past 50 years, thousands of people have worked behind Marlborough House’s uniquely honeycombed façade.
“Those of us who worked there have varying degrees of affinity with the big brute. There are 14 Civil Service properties worth £30 million that are lying completely empty and unused. Now that Marlborough House has been listed, will that number become 15?”
The MLA’s reference provoked a moment of light-heartedness in the Assembly, with Minister O’Dowd quipping: “I thought for a second that the Member was calling me a big brute!
“He may do at times,” he continued, before addressing the matter at hand. “As I said, the listing of the building does not assist us in moving forward, but a public-sector body is interested in it.
“The Member will be aware that we have an estate strategy on the disposal of public buildings. We have been successful with the disposal of a number of buildings, and we will continue to put buildings on the market as they become vacant.
“The market will respond in due course with what it is prepared to pay for those etc, but we have an estate strategy and a plan. I am content with how things are moving forward.”
