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A new Report by the Assembly Public Accounts Committee has called on the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to make better use of its powers to protect listed buildings.  The Report entitled ‘Safeguarding Northern Ireland Listed Buildings’ was published yesterday.

Speaking at the launch of the report, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Michaela Boyle MLA, said:  “Locally, we have more than 8,500 listed buildings which need to be monitored and maintained.  The Committee report found that NIEA needs to act earlier and with greater use of enforcement powers to safeguard many listed buildings.  For instance, failure by the NIEA to act in the case of the Stable Block at Sion Mills resulted in the deterioration of the signature building to a point where part of it had actually collapsed before NIEA finally stepped in to rescue it.”

Ms Boyle added: “NIEA also needs a proper performance management system for the listed buildings grant scheme.  Despite spending almost £20 million awarding grants since 2005-06, NIEA cannot measure the overall impact of this expenditure.  The Committee expects to see grants targeted on the most vulnerable and valuable buildings, such as those on the Built Heritage at Risk Register.  They cannot be allowed to go from being ‘at risk’ to ‘beyond rescue’.

Ms Boyle continued: “The Committee welcomes the new protocol for improving the care of publicly owned listed buildings, but is aware of some listed buildings originally owned by public bodies that were in poor condition when they were sold.  NIEA must be prepared to take timely and effective enforcement measures in such cases of neglect, including carrying out repairs directly and recouping the cost from the owners or, if necessary, vesting the building in order to rescue it.

Ms Boyle concluded:

“There is a lot at stake here.  If NIEA does not get to grips with enforcement and take early action where needed, we risk losing a part of our history and part of our culture which simply cannot be replaced.”

Notes to Editors:

The report also identified:

• There is no statutory requirement for owners of listed buildings to maintain them in good condition.
• NIEA offers grant assistance to encourage conservation. All listed buildings in certain categories are equally eligible for grant aid, regardless of their condition or importance.
• Over 830 listed buildings are currently owned by the public sector – 30 of these are on the Built Heritage at Risk register.

The full Committee report can be accessed on the Northern Ireland Assembly website via the following link http://nia1.me/10g

The current membership of the Public Accounts Committee is:

Ms Michaela Boyle³ (Chairperson)
Mr Joe Byrne (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Sydney Anderson
Mr Michael Copeland
Mr John Dallat
Mr Alex Easton
Mr Paul Girvan
Mr Ross Hussey
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
Mr Adrian McQuillan¹
Vacant⁴ 

¹ With effect from 24 October 2011 Mr Adrian McQuillan replaced Mr Paul Frew.

² With effect from 23 January 2012 Mr Conor Murphy replaced Ms Jennifer McCann.

³ With effect from 2 July 2012 Ms Michaela Boyle replaced Mr Paul Maskey MP.

⁴ With effect from 1 July 2012 Mr Conor Murphy MP resigned from the Assembly.