18/08/2009

'Rethink' On Crumlin Court Hotel Plans

Developer Barry Gilligan has conceded that ambitious plans to transform Belfast's iconic Crumlin Road courthouse into a luxury hotel will have to be reconsidered.

The grand Grade B listed building was attacked by arsons three times over the weekend, causing more damage to the building, which was gutted in a blaze last March.

Mr Gilligan, who bought the site in 2006 for a nominal fee of £1, said grant aid to provide hospitality and leisure facilities at the former courthouse was not sufficient.

One city councillor has suggested the historic site should be vested by the Department of Social Development (DSD).

Ulster Unionist Stephen Nicholl said the courthouse and the adjacent Gaol, along with Girdwood, were supposed to represent the future of north Belfast in terms of economic and educational development.

"Instead after the usual Masterplan exercise we have the usual inaction and failure to deliver for people in the most deprived area of Northern Ireland," claimed Councillor Nicholl.

"All across Belfast buildings carry the signs showing they have been vested by DSD, surely this facility should be a priority and given that no more should be paid for it than it was sold for the Department could move quickly," he added.

Mr Gilligan said he is prepared to "work with anyone" in order to secure the future of the courthouse plans.

"Both of those schemes have made it clear from the outset that they require significant grant aid - the level of grant aid, particularly for the hotel is not forthcoming," he said.

"So in one sense it is back to the drawing board and it is back to finding some form of innovative use for this building which requires a lesser amount of grant aid.

The developer, who also chairs the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said public funding hasn't matched his expectations

Crumlin Road courthouse's ornate style was the brainchild of renowned architect Sir Charles Lanyon, who also designed City Hall, Custom House, Queen's University.

(PR/BMcc)

Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

07 March 2006
Ballyrashane jobs boost from EU funds
Coleraine company Ballyrashane Co-operative Agricultural & Dairy Society, is one of latest Northern Ireland food and horticulture companies to benefit from £3.46 million in grant aid from the EU Agricultural Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme.
03 March 2006
Linden Foods expands packing line
Dungannon company, Linden Foods, is one of 13 Northern Ireland food and horticulture companies to benefit from £3.46 million in grant aid from the EU Agricultural Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme. The company has been awarded a grant of over £90,000 to help it to expand its retail packing facility and invest in new plant and equipment.
17 July 2013
€2.4m Awarded In Grant Aid To 25 Seafood Processing Firms
Simon Coveney, T.D, The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced the award of €2.4 million in grant aid to 25 seafood processing companies under the 2013 Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme. Taken in conjunction with private sector investment the total investment will be over €8 million in 2013.
28 February 2011
Monaghan Courthouse Restoration Welcomed
An historic courthouse has been re-opened after an €8.5m restoration project that brings the building to its original architectural glory. Monaghan Courthouse was reopened by the Justice Minister, Brendan Smith who said: "I am confident that this courthouse will meet the needs of Monaghan and the surrounding area for many decades to come.
27 February 2006
Apple packing is hot topic for MacNeice Bros
Portadown company MacNeice Bros is one of 13 Northern Ireland food and horticulture companies to benefit from £3.46 million in grant aid from the EU Agricultural Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme. The apple-processing company has been awarded a grant of almost £203,000 to develop a preservative-free packaging process.