Environment Minister Arlene Foster has visited Sion Mills and listened to proposals for the Mill complex which closed in 2004.

The Minister was given the tour of the 170-year old flax-spinning mill - Herdman's Mill. She also met with the Sion Mills Preservation Trust and heard about proposals for the Mill complex which closed in 2004 including new retail and business units and living and work areas.

She visited the Stable Block on the Main Melmont Road in Sion Mills, a listed building whose condition is giving cause for concern.

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Ms Foster said: "The proposals for Herdman's Mill will provide a much needed boost for Sion Mills, and will regenerate, through careful restoration, a group of very important listed buildings. With regard to the Stable block building, I understand the concern about the condition of this listed building.

"My Department is doing all it can to complete the compulsory purchase procedure so that ownership may be transferred to one of our partners in the voluntary sector - an experienced building preservation trust."

She concluded: "This is the first my Department has used these powers and I hope this compulsory acquisition will highlight to owners my determination to ensure that Northern Ireland’s important and vulnerable built heritage is cared for."

(JM)