Controversy over plans to demolish historic Cookstown building

AN historic building on one of Cookstown’s most distinctive streets is at the centre of a brewing controversy over plans to demolish the property as part of a major urban redevelopment.

Permission is being sought to remove the 160-year former home and police barracks at Loy Street to make way for a new apartment and office building fronting onto the street and a residential development at the back.

The Ulster Architectural Heritage organisation has described the scheme as ‘alarming’, and says it is strongly-opposed.

“This structure was added to the heritage at risk register in 2023, and despite being an ‘unlisted’ building, it has evident architectural style and detailing,” said its Heritage Projects officer, Sebastian Graham.

“It is significant to Cookstown, and is externally an attractive building that could have many end uses.

“Demolition of this building would also damage the established streetscapes.

“This is an area designated as an Area of Townscape Character in Cookstown, meaning it is distinctive and merits protection from inappropriate change. Loy Street is a particularly interesting street with uniform buildings of distinct architectural style.

“Demolition to open up access to Cookstown’s ‘long gardens’ would degrade the town of its history, and, again, destroy its streetscape. There should be greater emphasis on reusing the vacant building stock that there is in the town instead of erecting densely-populated housing on green space.”

‘RESPECT’

But a design and planning statement by Les Ross Planning in Cookstown states that any new building ‘must respect’ the established character and the setting of the nearby listed buildings.

It says that the building has been unused for a considerable time due to structural problems which mean that it is unsafe for occupation.

“There is a well-understood need for additional residential development in Cookstown,” it states.

“This site is a sustainable location for such development due to its central location close to services and public transport opportunities.

“The applicant is seeking a residential-led scheme, with commercial space to be created at ground floor on the Loy Street frontage.”

The statement describes the frontage of the existing building as being ‘seriously dilapidated’ and ‘not viable’ for retention. It also states that any new building must respect the established character and the setting of the nearby listed buildings.

It goes on to state that among the key principles of the design will be the sensitive replacement of the frontage building.

The application is currently being considered by Mid Ulster District Council.