Skip to content

Council bid to force work to former hotel fails

BBC A white building with a red door and red lettering above the door which reads "Antrim Arms". The building is three stories high and is showing signs of wear. Two windows are boarded up and there is a plant growing out of the guttering. The building is surrounded by a metal railingsBBC
The former Antrim Arms had started to fall apart in October 2024

A council's attempt to force a developer to demolish, repair or secure a listed building has been denied by a judge at Coleraine Court.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council wanted to have the owner of the former Antrim Arms Hotel in Ballycastle ordered to secure the site.

However, the judge refused to do so, saying that the developer Declan Joseph Wright, of Maplemanor Properties, was "stuck between a rock and a hard place".

The court heard that the former hotel, which was built in the 18th Century, had started to fall apart in October 2024 and posed "significant danger" with masonry falling from the building.

But due to it being a listed building - one of historical significance - the owner could not partially demolish the structure without the permission of the Historic Environment Division (HED), which he did not have.

The HED is the government body responsible for protecting historic buildings in Northern Ireland.

The judge said that to follow the council orders would place Mr Wright at risk of prosecution for altering a listed building.

The judge acknowledged that the building was "dangerous and needed to be made safe" but that would need the participation of the HED.

He directed Mr Wright to get a report from a structural engineer and share it with the council.

He also asked that the representatives from the council and the developer to attend a further hearing in March.

The judge strongly recommended that the HED also attend that hearing.

A woman smiling at the camera. She is wearing a brown coat. Behind her the back of a road sign. Across the road, also behind her, some buildings and some people walking on the footpath.
Ballycastle resident Kiran Young Wimberly said it would be great if the building could be redeveloped

People in Ballycastle have affection for the 18th Century building but they are worried about its current state.

"Hopefully it doesn't come down because it might pull my house down with it," says Sean Molloy, who lives at the top of Castle Street.

"That street is quite old so if that comes down what damage will it do to the rest of these houses up here, which are quite old as well?"

Kiran Young Wimberly has lived in the town for seven years and says "it's not a great situation".

"It would be great if they could redevelop it into something and use that part of the town," she added.

"It would look a lot better and it seems like there's a lot of possibility there."

John Foley from the town says the parking in the Diamond area has been disrupted.

"Obviously that street is not useable now and parking has not been the same since then," he said.