28 February 2007
NEW APPOINTMENTS TO THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS COUNCIL
David Cairns, Minister for the Environment, today announced details of appointments to the Historic Buildings Council. The competition was carried out in accordance with the OCPANI Code of Practice under the monitored kitemark scheme. The Council is a statutory body which advises the Department of the Environment on matters relating to the preservation of listed buildings and the designation of conservation areas.
Welcoming the commitment which the people concerned were showing by agreeing to serve on the Council, the Minister said: “Effective protection of our built heritage is an important part of the Government’s environmental policy. The advice of the Council will undoubtedly be most valuable and I am grateful to them for their willingness to give their time and talents for this purpose. I am delighted that Francis Robinson has agreed to lead the Council during the next three years.”
Francis Robinson, an existing Council member has been appointed Chairman. He is a retired structural engineer who was a partner for 15 years in one of Northern Ireland’s largest consulting engineering practices.
The following have been appointed as Members:
Mrs Iona Andrews, A chartered surveyor and member of the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society.
Mr Richard Bennett, Retired headmaster and member of the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society for over 30 years. (Reappointed for a second term)
Dr Anne Casement, Historian who has spent much of her working life associated with the National Trust. (Reappointed for a second term)
Mr William Darby, Retired civil servant and chartered engineer, member of the National Trust and the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society. (Reappointed for a second term)
Professor Joseph Fitzgerald, Retired architect and former member of the Historic Buildings Council in the 1980s.
Mr Brian Green, Retired structural engineer with extensive experience in the reinstatement of historic buildings.
Mr Anthony Griffith, Landowner and estate manager. Member of the National Trust and former member of the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside.
Mr Paul Harron, Architectural historian, architectural commentator and the architecture and public art specialist at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Mr Ian Hill, Well known author, journalist, critic and travel writer. Formerly a Director of the NI Tourist Board.
Mr Gerard Lynch, Town planner and runs a beef and sheep farm. Former Mayor of the Borough of Limavady.
Mr Donal MacRandal, Chartered architect with extensive experience in the conservation of historic, listed and vernacular buildings. (Reappointed for a second term)
Mr Stratton Mills, Retired senior partner of a firm of solicitors. He has been a member of the Ulster Architectural heritage Society since it was founded. (Reappointed for a second term)
Dr Frederick O’Dwyer, Senior architect with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin. (Reappointed for a second term)
Ms Ursula O’Hare, Assistant Director in the Law Centre (NI). Member of the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society and the Foyle Civic Trust.
Mr Richard Oram, Self employed consultant architect, specialising in building conservation. Former senior architect with the Environment and Heritage Service. (Reappointed for a second term)
Mr Marcus Patton, Architect. Director of Hearth, a charity specialising in the restoration of modest traditional buildings. (Reappointed for a second term)
Mrs Agnes Peacocke, Retired civil servant with a keen interest in historic buildings. With the exception of Professor Joseph Fitzgerald and Mr Gerard Lynch none of these appointees has undertaken any political activity in the last five years.
Professor Fitzgerald has canvassed on behalf of the Alliance Party during election campaigns. Mr Lynch is a former SDLP District Councillor and Mayor of the Borough of Limavady.
With the exception of Mr Ian Hill none of these appointees hold any other public appointments. Mr Hill is also a member of the Historic Monuments Council and the Northern Ireland Museums Council.
The members of the Council, including the Chairman, receive no salary but are entitled to travelling and out-of-pocket expenses. Appointments are for a three-year term.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The Historic Buildings Council is a statutory advisory council which advises the Department on the preservation of listed buildings and the designation of conservation areas.
The first meeting of the newly reconstituted Council is planned to take place in March 2007
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