The Department of Environment has served an Urgent Works Notice on the owner of Ballyloran House, Ballyhampton Road, Larne.

This listed building, which is on the Built Heritage at Risk in Northern Ireland (BHARNI) register, is a gabled farmhouse built in 1868 with a large two storey return probably containing the fabric of an earlier 18th century building. The Department has now issued a notice which outlines the action it will take to carry out emergency works if the owner does not initiate these within seven days.

Welcoming the move, Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: "Each of our listed buildings are jewels from the past which need to be conserved for now and future generations. Once gone they can never be brought back. Listed buildings attract much tourism and there is always the potential to develop this further by securing and preserving them. I am determined we do that and this Urgent Works Notice is an example of that determination. There has been anti social behaviour around the building. It is important therefore that we take this urgent action to protect it from loss.

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"Following the Heritage Crime Summit in August 2011, I provided additional funding to the NIEA to enable it to undertake direct action in cases such as this one; this action is beginning to pay dividends. Another notice was issued in Dungannon in October and final warning letters have proved successful in generating action at two cases in Belfast. The notice issued at Ballyloran House is part of my planned approach to target selected cases across Northern Ireland."

The owner has seven days to carry out works to secure the building. After this time, if works have not commenced, the Department will carry these out, and seek recovery of costs from the owner.

(CD)