News Release Page Title

10 November 2000

SAM FOSTER RECEIVES REPORT ON HISTORIC BUILDINGS

Minister of the Environment, Mr Sam Foster MLA, today received the Historic Buildings Council's (HBC) Report launched by Environment Committee Chairman, Rev William McCrea MP.

The wide-ranging report includes articles on the regeneration and restoration of Northern Ireland's historic buildings and industrial heritage. The report records HBC's activities in the last three years and marks the end of its current term of office.

Speaking at the launch in McCausland's Hotel Belfast, itself a Grade A listed building, Mr Foster said: "Our heritage is a bridge into our past. Conserving our heritage is the bridge which sustains our past actively into the future. Through conservation we are conserving our towns and cities in Northern Ireland. I pay tribute to the work of HBC members, many of whom are stepping down after six years of voluntary contribution to the work of preserving Northern Ireland's heritage.

"But, as the Council's Report highlights, it is not just about pretty buildings. We have a rich industrial heritage, we have a need to further educate and raise awareness, and we must continue to work closely with the planners.

"I commend, therefore, the HBC on their work in these areas and also for supporting the Department's 2nd Survey of historic buildings. Much of the Report is good news in which my Department shares.

"Regrettably not everything is rosy. Buildings have been lost through terrorism, development, or simple lack of care and understanding. These cases remind us that our ongoing work of protecting and conserving our heritage has an important role in Northern Ireland society."

The Minister concluded by emphasising the importance of educating children about their heritage:

"At a personal level, I look back with pleasure on a day last August when the sun shone on a summer event on Devenish Island, in my native County Fermanagh. I witnessed children participating in an educational programme as part of the HBC's 'Time Trail to the Millennium'. Through such initiatives, Northern Ireland's children learn to appreciate their heritage."

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The HBC's 14th Report was launched by the Chairman of the Assembly's Environment Committee, the Reverend William McCrea at 10am Friday 10 November, in McCausland's Hotel Belfast. The Minister formally accepted the Report on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

  2. The Historic Buildings Council (HBC) is the Government's independent statutory adviser on the protection of historic buildings. The Council's role is to advise the Department on the exercise of its powers under those sections of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 which are mainly concerned with the protection of listed buildings. Members are usually appointed for a three-year term. There are 15 members including the Chairman. Members do not receive remuneration but are paid out-of-pocket expenses. The Council has ten main meetings each year, mainly in the Belfast area, but also occasionally as the guest of a local district council, with occasional outings to visit historic buildings or proposed Conservation Areas. Council conducts some of its business through sub-committees or working groups.

  3. For further information, contact Paddy Murphy, DOE Press Office, tel. 028 9054 0014.