Rathcoole tower blocks earmarked for demolition are ‘unpopular’ claim challenged

Antrim and Newtownabbey Alliance Councillor Billy Webb has criticised the Department for Communities over its response in relation to an appeal for the retention of four high rise blocks of flats in Rathcoole.
The four tower blocks in the Rathcoole estate.The four tower blocks in the Rathcoole estate.
The four tower blocks in the Rathcoole estate.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has been asked by the council to intervene to save Abbotscoole House, Carncoole House, Monkscoole House and Glencoole House.

The local authority has also called for “sufficient finance to be made available to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for refurbishment of these properties” in recognition of the “housing need in north Belfast”.

Monkscoole House is unoccupied after closing late last year and has been earmarked for demolition. The Housing Executive also proposes to demolish the adjacent Abbotscoole House. Both will require Departmental approval of a business case.

The Housing Executive has proposed to retain Carncoole House and Glencoole House for at least 10 years and to “undertake associated improvement works”.

Speaking at a meeting of the council’s Community Planning Committee, on Monday evening, Cllr Webb said he was “amazed” by the Department’s suggestion that the blocks are “unpopular” claiming that they are “fully occupied”.

He went on to say he does not believe the residents would have asked for a public meeting to discuss continuing occupancy “if they were living in an unpopular area”.

Later, he said that the residents are “determined the multi-storeys should stay”.

Cllr Webb added that the Department “did not seem to take on board any of the issues that were raised” and the response had a “dismissive tone”.

He indicated that the council was told that new social housing is being built by housing associations in north Belfast.

Cllr Webb stated: “Public representatives, myself included, will be liaising with residents to see what action can be taken. They are determined that the multi-storeys should stay.

“There is a lack of appreciation that people have lived there for a long time.”

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

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