The outgoing Stormont Environment Minister is to hold a meeting on Thursday to consider delisting an historic building in Larne - with a plan under consideration to raze it and then to build a proposed retirement village.

The news comes soon after the Minister, Edwin Poots (pictured) met his party colleague, the East Antrim DUP MLA Alastair Ross about the property, Ballyloran House.

According to Mr Ross, the site has been subjected to vandalism in recent years, and has become a hotspot for antisocial behaviour.

"Over the past number of months I have been contacted by a number of local residents who were concerned about antisocial behaviour at the site, and that the area will become an eyesore if it is left the way it is.

"Sadly in recent years Ballyloran House has been vandalised, set on fire and been covered in graffiti. Leaving the site idle is not in anyone's interests," he said.

-- Advertisement --

He said that he met with the Minister, NIEA, the owner of the site and planners to discuss options for the site.

He said that one plan was for the 'owners vision' to construct a retirement village to be realised.

"Clearly the huge investment, employment opportunities and indeed the fact that a retirement village would cater for a growing need in Larne is to be welcome, but we must also be cognisant of the views of local residents," he said.

Now, just weeks afterwards, Edwin Poots has asked the Environment Agency to consider the delisting of Ballyloran House.

However, the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society has said the timing of the move concerns it.

Although the Society agreed that the house had fallen into a state of disrepair in recent years "given the right buyer I'm sure the house could be restored to its former glory", a statement to BBC NI said.

This week, in a statement the Department of Environment said: "Officials from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) are meeting with the Historic Buildings Council to discuss the listing status of Ballyloran House.

"The agency will also be consulting with Larne District Council.

"The Minister sought to clear a lot of business before leaving office including this issue after due consideration was given to all the issues raised."

(BMcC/GK)