The first detailed survey of the area since the 1970's has identified some 373 buildings and registered 53 new properties as listed.
NIEA Built Heritage Senior Inspector Terence Reeves–Smyth said: “From the stately elegance of Killymoon Castle to the sturdy classicism of Moneymore’s pre-famine architecture, Cookstown District Council area contains a wonderfully wide range of architectural styles.
“The types of buildings surveyed were diverse ranging from gothic churches, railway stations, ice houses, urban terraces, country houses and farm buildings to windmills.
“NIEA now has much better information to help ensure that the most important historic buildings in the area can be protected into the future.”
Through historical research and site surveys, information on current listed buildings has been expanded and the potential of other buildings to be protected in this way has been considered.
Of the 373 buildings recorded, 207 are already listed. These include Lissan House which featured on the BBC Restoration programme. An illustrated book based upon the survey and written by Terence Reeves–Smyth will be published in September 2009 by NIEA Built Heritage.
NIEA Built Heritage offers a grant scheme to help owners of listed buildings protect them for present and future generations.
Anyone who owns a listed building and is interested in applying to the Historic Buildings Grant Aid Scheme should contact the grants section of NIEA, Historic Buildings by telephoning 028 9054 3038.
Notes to Editors:
- The Second Survey of Architectural and Historic Interest has been reviewing the architectural heritage of Northern Ireland since 1997. Its aim is to increase departmental records and to review buildings against the test of Article 42 of the Planning Order 1991. To be listed under this article, a structure must be of ‘special architectural or historic interest’.
- Around 2% of the buildings of Northern Ireland are listed. There are circa 8,500 across the whole region.
- For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact EIS Duty Press Office on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
