§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how often on average listed buildings in Northern Ireland are inspected in order to confirm that the terms of the preservation order are being observed;
(2) how many listed buildings there are in each district council area in Northern Ireland; and, of these, how many in each area are dwelling-houses;
(3) if he is aware of any listed buildings which are being neglected and are in an advanced state of decay; and, if so, how many;
(4) what grants are available and under what terms for the preservation and repair of listed buildings in Northern Ireland;
(5) how many purchase notices in respect of listed buildings have been served on his Department in each of the last five years; for each of these years how many purchases of such buildings had been completed to 30 June 1981; and for each such year, how many such cases have been or are to be taken by his Department to the Lands Tribunal;
(6) what are the maximum and minimum periods which can elapse between a purchase notice for a listed building being served on his Department and the hearing of the case by the Lands Tribunal.
§ Mr. David Mitchell1. The Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 provides for inspection by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland where an owner wishes to demolish or materially alter the character of such a building before listed building consent is granted. In addition all such buildings are inspected when an owner applies for grant aid.
2. The number of listed buildings in each district Council area is:
564W
Listed buildings 1. Londonderry 459 2. Limavady 146 3. Coleraine 336 *4. Ballymoney 20 5. Moyle 361
Listed buildings 6. Larne 234 *7 Ballymena 173 *8. Magherafelt 36 9. Cookstown 174 *10. Strabane 81 *11. Omagh 46 *12. Fermanagh 242 *13. Dungannon 147 *14. Craigavon 31 *15. Armagh 266 *16. Newry and Mourne 230 17. Banbridge 274 18. Down 591 *19. Lisburn 160 20. Antrim 201 *21. Newtownabbey 3 *22. Carrickfergus 21 23. North Down 203 24. Ards 392 *25. Castlereagh 4 *26. Belfast 398 Total 5,229 * Listing is not complete. Identifying how many of these are dwelling-houses would involve disproportionate cost.
3. No. If the hon. Gentleman has a particular case he wishes to draw to my attention, perhaps he will let me have details.
4. Under article 83 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 the Department may offer grant aid towards the repair and maintenance of a listed building. The amount of grant is determined by the Department after consultation with the Northern Ireland Historic Buildings Council. Any scheme for repair and maintenance must respect the architectural style, form and detailing of the building.
5. None.
6. The Department has two months in which to decide whether or not to accept a purchase notice for a listed building. If the Department serves a counter-notice objecting to the purchase notice, the owner may refer the matter to the Lands Tribunal within two months of the date of the counter-notice. The date of the hearing is a matter for the Lands Tribunal.
§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied that the spirit and intent of the statutory order governing listed buildings is being observed by the owners and enforced by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David Mitchell[pursuant to his reply, 28 July 1981]: Yes. The Department's historic monuments and buildings branch and planning service seek to ensure that the obligations of the order upon owners of listed buildings are fulfilled.