Alliance Councillor Patrick Clarke has welcomed the commencement of repair works to a listed derelict building along Main Street Dundrum.

Earlier in February the Department of the Environment (DOE) served an Urgent Works Notice (UWN) on the owner of 119 - 121 Main Street, Dundrum. The Urgent Works Notice was served on 14th February after repeated attempts by Councillor Patrick Clarke, Down District Council and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to encourage the property owner to take action. Building Contractors appointed by the Department of the environment moved onsite on Tuesday 27th March.

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Councillor Patrick Clarke stated: "I welcome contractors moving onsite to start roof and structural repairs to the listed derelict buildings at 119/121 Main Street Dundrum.

"The historic buildings which were listed back in July 1980 have been vacant for many years, and despite repeated attempts by myself, Down District Council and NIEA requesting the cooperation of the property owner to carry out works to prevent further deterioration of the adjoining properties, actions were not forthcoming from the owner.

"An Urgent Works Notice was then served on 14th February by the Minister for the Department of the Environment to encourage the property owner to take action. Building Contractors then moved onsite on Tuesday 27th March.

"Following a site meeting the contractors appointed by the Department of the Environment have advised me that the repair works to the roof and structure at 119/121 Main Street Dundrum will take two to four weeks to complete, which will result in the large wooden hoarding being finally removed returning a large segment of footpath and the Main Street back to its original state."

(CD)