Model school building not to be listed - Poots

Environment Minister Edwin Poots today confirmed that the Model School near Enniskillen will not be listed.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) carried out a detailed consideration of the school building and initially recommended listing after the Western Education & Library Board made clear its intention to replace it with a new school.

Subsequent discussions led to an anticipated significant increase in costs of retaining the existing building in a new school project. Given this, NIEA concluded that it would not be appropriate to proceed with listing.

The Minister said: “I am pleased to see a practical view being taken on this case. NIEA considered all options for a solution to be found which reconciled the conflicting demands of heritage protection and appropriate educational provision at a reasonable cost. A listing of this relatively modern building would have resulted in extra costs to a building project. It was essential that the needs of the children and their education took priority. Whilst the interest of preserving architecture is important, the overriding interest is providing a fit for purpose educational facility. I welcome the fact that this obstacle has now been removed.

“I would like to commend the efforts of the Headmaster and staff of the school, its Governors, staff in the Western Education and Library Board and the Department of Education, not forgetting the staff of the NIEA Built Heritage Directorate who worked hard to consider the alternatives to demolition.”

The Model school dates from 1976. The board marked concrete finish is robust and a well resolved example of a style also used on London’s South Bank and at the Ulster Museum during the same period.

A second, Victorian building on the site which was part of an earlier Model School will be listed by NIEA.

Notes to editors:

1. The Model School dates from 1976. The older a building is the wider the consensus will normally be that a structure merits listing. The Department of Environment recommends listing only for the highest quality buildings from such a close period in time. NIEA has worked closely with the school and Western Board to explain its position and agree a solution. It has kept elected representatives who expressed an interest informed of developments.
2. Under Article 42 of the Planning Order (1991) the Department of the Environment has power to draw up a list of ‘buildings of special architectural or historic interest’. Part of the text associated with Policy BH10 of Planning Policy Statement 6 which deals with the demolition of listed buildings states that: ‘There may very exceptionally be cases where the proposed works would bring substantial benefits for the community, which have to be weighed against the arguments in favour of preservation. Even in these circumstances it will often be feasible to incorporate listed buildings within new development.’ In this case the feasibility of incorporating the historic building within new development has been carefully considered.
3. All media enquiries should be directed to the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours, please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.