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Sketching of Cultra Railway Station House by Cllr Larry Thompson |
Commenting on the issue,
Cllr Thompson stated: “Cultra Station House was designed by renowned architect
Charles Lanyon, built in circa 1863 and was listed in 2007 when threated with
demolition. This unique building has long been on the Built Heritage at Risk
Register and is now in a very bad state of repair with the exterior covered in
graffiti, doors and windows broken and the roof partially exposed. Previous
plans submitted by the site owner to refurbish the building never materialised.
As a consequence of the general economic downturn the building now faces a very
uncertain future with ownership recently transferred to NAMA who have since put
the building up for sale on the open market seeking circa £450k.”
Detailing action taken
to date, I remarked: “After becoming aware of the recent developments I
contacted Government Ministers responsible for Culture, Tourism and Built
Heritage and have received a collective response from Environment Minister Alex
Attwood MLA acknowledging the building’s current condition and future
potential. Minister Attwood set out his hopes to “achieve a sustainable future
for this building” and helped arrange a meeting with top officials at
organisations such as the Environment Agency, Tourist Board and the Ulster Folk
and Transport Museum. This meeting was very successful and the campaign is now
continuing apace with significant input from Ulster Architectural Heritage
Trust and Holywood Conservation Group.”
Concluding, Cllr
Thompson stated: “Cultra Station House could play a valuable part of the Ulster
Folk and Transport Museum if acquired by Government and suitably restored.
Visitors to the Museum arriving by train would be greeted with a fantastic
example of historic Northern Ireland rather than a building being allowed to
fall into a terrible state of disrepair.
“I am glad that efforts
are being made to secure funding and a better future for this building. The
time for action is now to ensure that the tourist and economic potential of
this amazing building is preserved forever. A group of local residents and
representatives from Ulster Architectural Heritage Trust and Holywood
Conservation Group have met over the last two months to start a campaign to
save the Station House.”