Listed building owners' forum gets advice from the environment agency

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is today meeting around 800 listed building owners to discuss how the full potential of Northern Ireland’s heritage can be realised.

Organised by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) in partnership with the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society (UAHS), the Owner’s Forum is one of several key initiatives including enhanced grant aid for listed buildings announced by the previous Environment Minister, Arlene Foster, at a conference in May.

The forum will give owners a chance to raise issues with the Department and to provide information to this key group.

NIEA: Built Heritage Director Michael Coulter said: “We believe that more informed owners are better placed to realise the full potential of our heritage.

“We hope that this event will increase owner’s awareness of why these buildings are protected and of the services this Agency offers – including grant aid- to help them manage this legacy appropriately.

“The event also provides us with an invaluable opportunity to get feedback from an important stakeholder group on our work.”

Mr Coulter added: “The overall response to this event has been very welcome and unprecedented and we hope to run more of these events in the future.”

UAHS 'Home & Dry' Chairperson, Primrose Wilson said: "The Society has been organising information days for owners of historic buildings since 2001.

“Under the banner 'Home and Dry', these informal sessions have attracted hundreds of participants from Donegal to Armagh and Antrim to Down. We are delighted to assist the Agency in delivering this highly popular event in Ballymena.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The ‘Windows of Opportunity’ conference of 20 May 2008 set out ways to highlight the social and economic importance of the Built Heritage to Northern Ireland.
2. The previous Environment Minister, Arlene Foster announced the revision and extension of the Historic Buildings Grant Scheme as a comprehensive new policy. For the first time since the mid 1980’s grade B2 listed buildings (50% of the total) are now grant eligible. For the purposes of simplicity, clarity, and to reflect actual additional capital costs of conservation related works, the vast majority of our repair & maintenance grants are now paid at 35%. Extra grant aid paid for thatch buildings (75%) and some lower grade churches are not currently eligible.
3. Arlene Foster also announced £500,000 of the new grant-aid budget had been ring fenced to help Building Preservation Trusts (BPT’s) and other charities to acquire ‘buildings at risk’ as identified on the Built Heritage At Risk, Northern Ireland register (BHARNI).
4. A ‘Stakeholder’s Forum’ will be formed, with the first meeting chaired by Environment Minister Sammy Wilson. Taking place in mid December, its aim is to develop an understanding of the actual and potential contribution of the Built Heritage to our economy and society and to highlight perceived impediments to this process directly to the Minister and Department. Key contacts in local authorities; the business community; the Construction Employers Federation; NITB; other Government Departments (DSD, etc), and; the Chairs of HBC and HMC have been invited to attend.
5. The fourth initiative was the creation of an ‘Owner’s forum’ which provides an opportunity for owners to raise their issues with the Department and to allow the dissemination of information to this key group. This is the event which is being held today.
6. The Home and Dry series was initially supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, which allowed the accompanying web site to be devised. The events have been held in historic buildings in every county in Northern Ireland and Donegal and often involve demonstrations of traditional buildings skills.
7. If you would like more information on the services and advice offered by NIEA: Built Heritage please contact bh@doeni.gov.uk, telephone 028 9054 3095
8. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.