Derelict Listed Georgian Building Demolished in Ballycastle
The derelict listed Georgian building in Ballycastle, County Antrim, was demolished earlier this week.
The Department for Communities (DfC) has stated it was not consulted regarding the demolition and was unaware of any planning approval for the works.
The building, formerly known as the Antrim Arms Hotel, was torn down earlier this week.
NI understands that Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council had reached an agreement with the owner to carry out some demolition work at the site.
However, on Thursday, the council announced it had launched an investigation and stated that officials were "currently assessing whether the substantial demolition was in line with proposals submitted by the owner".
NI has contacted the building's owner in County Antrim for comment but has not yet received an official response.
The building was cordoned off more than a year ago due to concerns about its structural integrity.
Department for Communities Not Consulted
In a statement on Friday, the DfC said it is "a statutory consultee to planning authorities, and officials have advised the council that any works should be limited to the minimum measures required to address specific instabilities".
A DfC spokesperson added that officials wrote to the owner of the listed building on 21 April 2026, emphasizing "the importance of ensuring that any urgent works undertaken are strictly necessary to make this listed building safe and secure".
The spokesperson further stated that any works "should be carried out to ensure unnecessary loss of historic fabric and are to be agreed with both council and the department".
Safety Concerns Over Building
The property in County Antrim had been cordoned off for over a year due to fears regarding its structural integrity. Shipping containers were placed outside to protect pedestrians ahead of the town's annual Ould Lammas Fair.
Concerns had previously been raised that a £2 million revamp of Ballycastle town centre was being delayed because of uncertainty surrounding the future of the building located at the junction of Castle Street and Fairhill Street.
An application to demolish the property was refused last year.
The Ballycastle environmental improvement scheme includes plans to upgrade the town's Diamond area and surrounding streets and was originally scheduled for completion by March 2027.
At a hearing in January 2025, a judge acknowledged that the site was dangerous.
'Nearly 300 Years of History Erased Overnight'
The Ulster Architectural Heritage Society (UAHS), which campaigns to protect and preserve historic buildings, had opposed plans to demolish the building and instead called for its repair.
Speaking to NI on Thursday, John Anderson from the society expressed deep disappointment regarding the demolition.
"Nearly 300 years of history erased overnight," Anderson said.
"I do think it's a shame we have lost a building of such significance and importance to the local area and local people.
"We would much rather have seen the site repaired and are incredibly disheartened to learn of the demolition."
Building Had Become a 'Real Eye-Sore'
Ciaran Dallat, from nearby Bella Jo Interiors, described seeing the rubble on Thursday morning as "quite shocking".
Dallat remarked that it was "sad to see a historic building go", but added that it had "really become an eye-sore".
Speaking on Thursday, Sinn Féin councillor Cara McShane suggested there may be questions about what had been agreed regarding the demolition work and what has actually been carried out.
"There had been an understanding that there would be significant demolition of this building behind us, but what we can see this morning is that it has been entirely demolished, and that is of great sadness to many in the community."
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland described the situation as "heartbreaking to see an iconic piece of Ballycastle's built heritage reduced to a pile of rubble".
"My party colleagues have been liaising with council officers to assess what has happened," she added.
