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14/06/2002
Councillor 'disgusted' by demolition of Oxford House
Alliance Councillor Sara Duncan has said she is "disgusted" by the demolition of Oxford House.
Built in 1889 as the Queen Victoria Convalescent Home by the Belfast and District Asylum, Oxford House, at the junction of Purdysburn Road and Beech Hill Road in South Belfast, was featured in the Ulster Architectural Society’s (UAHS) Buildings at Risk list.
Councillor Duncan said: "This was one of the most distinctive buildings in the Newtownbreda area, with beautiful lofty chimneys and a three-sided tower. The first floor was covered in distinctive fish scale wall tiles, which were very eye-catching.
"The UAHS had considered it to be worthy of listing, as the architectural quality and historic links of the house were unique in the area. At the time of the public inquiry into the proposed Tesco store beside it, the UAHS tried to get the house listed, but the Environment and Heritage Service refused to do so.
"Now it has been demolished and I am disgusted. It will probably become the site for yet more unsightly apartments.
Councillor Duncan said that after the furore over the demolition of Seamus Heaney’s former house, it would seem that developers have a free rein to do what they want in South Belfast.
She added: "The only conclusion I can come to is that the Environment and Heritage Service are neither interested in the environment or our heritage."
(SP)
Built in 1889 as the Queen Victoria Convalescent Home by the Belfast and District Asylum, Oxford House, at the junction of Purdysburn Road and Beech Hill Road in South Belfast, was featured in the Ulster Architectural Society’s (UAHS) Buildings at Risk list.
Councillor Duncan said: "This was one of the most distinctive buildings in the Newtownbreda area, with beautiful lofty chimneys and a three-sided tower. The first floor was covered in distinctive fish scale wall tiles, which were very eye-catching.
"The UAHS had considered it to be worthy of listing, as the architectural quality and historic links of the house were unique in the area. At the time of the public inquiry into the proposed Tesco store beside it, the UAHS tried to get the house listed, but the Environment and Heritage Service refused to do so.
"Now it has been demolished and I am disgusted. It will probably become the site for yet more unsightly apartments.
Councillor Duncan said that after the furore over the demolition of Seamus Heaney’s former house, it would seem that developers have a free rein to do what they want in South Belfast.
She added: "The only conclusion I can come to is that the Environment and Heritage Service are neither interested in the environment or our heritage."
(SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
