§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on how the Environment and Heritage Service, Northern Ireland has fulfilled its obligations towards The Priory, In Holywood, County Down. [170034]
§ Angela SmithHolywood Priory was scheduled for protection in 1932 under the 1926 Ancient Monuments Act and was re-scheduled in 1986 under the Historic Monuments Act (NI) 1971.
The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) has carried out regular inspections of the condition of the Priory. Condition reports have recorded little evidence of deterioration. However, a need to remove some potentially damaging vegetation was identified. North Down Borough Council, the owners responsible for the care of The Priory, have been made aware of this and have removed the vegetation.
Under Policy BH1 of Planning Policy Statement 6—"The Preservation of Archaeological Remains of Regional Importance and their settings"—EHS has also advised Planning Service on various planning applications in the area which affected this site and/or its setting.