‘Dangerous and unsightly’

Former school buildings in Jordanstown which have been lying derelict for several years should be secured or demolished as soon as possible.
Councillor Tom Campbell.Councillor Tom Campbell.
Councillor Tom Campbell.

That was the call made this week by local Alliance Party councillor, Tom Campbell, who branded the properties “dangerous and unsightly”.

Councillor Campbell, who lives not far from the old Jordanstown School buildings, confirmed that he has raised concerns about public safety and illegal dumping at the site with council officers and Planning Service officials.

“My concern is that these properties are open to the elements and unstable. Any children or indeed adults in the vicinity of these dangerous and unsightly buildings are at risk of serious injury. Most of the windows have been broken and the buildings are almost all easily accessible,” he commented.

“I have had complaints about this from residents who have expressed to me the concerns that I am raising now.”

A spokesperson for Planning Service confirmed that permission for a new residential development on the site was granted in August 2010.

“Following a complaint about the derelict state of existing vacant buildings the DOE has recently conducted a site inspection. No development has commenced on site, nor is the planning consent subject to a specific condition requiring the demolition of the existing buildings. The site is not subject to a planning designation and thus a planning consent to demolish the buildings on site is not required and may be undertaken at any time,” she added.

The Times contacted the owners of the property, Craigavon-based Silverwood Property Developments, to ask if they have any plans for the redevelopment of the site.

Company director, Darren Costello said: “I’d rather not make any comment at the minute as we are currently speaking to the Planning Service and local council about it.”