HC Deb 02 November 1995 vol 265 cc411-2W
Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what method of appeal is available to property owners who dispute a historic building preservation order; and if the appeals body is independent of the Department of the Environment. [39920]

Mr. Moss

There is no legislative provision giving a right of appeal against the decision of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland to list a building as being of special architectural or historic interest. However, any person may make representations to the Department that a building should cease to be listed on the grounds that it is not of special architectural or historic interest, and such representations are carefully considered. Where an application for listed building consent to carry out alterations is refused, the applicant may appeal that decision to the Planning Appeals Commission, which is independent of the Department.

Mr. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the Historic Buildings Council has produced a register of the buildings currently listed with it for circulation to the public. [39921]

Mr. Moss

The Historic Buildings Council does not have a register of listed buildings. The official lists are prepared and held by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. A copy of the relevant lists is sent to divisional planning offices and district councils, where they may be inspected by the public. A full list is also available for inspection in the monuments and buildings record at the public office of the Environment Service of the Department at 5/35 Hill street, Belfast.

Mr. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many properties have received historic buildings preservation orders since 1974 in(a) Belfast; and (b) Northern Ireland excluding Belfast; how many are grade A, and how many are grade B; what criteria are used to determine which grade; what criteria are used to reach decisions as to whether to list; and what process is undergone in determining the listing of buildings. [39919]

Mr. Moss

Since 1974 some 1,018 buildings in the Belfast area have been listed of which 35 are category A and 983 are category B. The number of buildings listed since 1974 elsewhere in Northern Ireland is 7,057 of which 157 are category A and 6,900 are category B.

The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is responsible for listing buildings of special architectural or historic interest; the criteria for listing include the building's age, condition, style, aesthetic quality, structural system, any innovatory architectural qualities, and its historic importance.

The listing process includes a physical survey of the building, the application of the listing criteria and consultations with the local district council and the Historic Buildings Council.