Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced that its survey work to identify and review listed buildings in Belfast is gathering pace.

The work is now underway in North, West and parts of East Belfast. This follows work last year in Central Belfast.

The aim of this 'Second Survey' is to produce high quality records, based upon detailed research. These will help to explain clearly why such buildings are protected by listing. Such knowledge can help ensure that the potential of our built heritage is fully understood and that appropriate decisions are taken for individual listed buildings. All of the North is to be covered by 2020 with close to 60% now surveyed.

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Mr Durkan said: "This work to record and explain the importance of historic buildings is a vital part of my Department’s ongoing commitment to realising the full economic and social value of our built heritage. With detailed knowledge we are in a much better place to work with owners and partners to realise the potential of this important resource for the benefit of all.

"A good example of this is Conway Mill in West Belfast, which was listed some years ago as part of the ad-hoc second survey (in advance of the current systematic survey).

"As a result of the listing, this important building has been protected, becoming grant eligible for Heritage Lottery Funding and DOE's Listed Building Grant Aid. The result is conservation and economic development. Knowledge from the record influenced how the Department advised on its subsequent conversion for community use."

(CD/JP)