Council delays ruling on demolition of listed chapel in Co Antrim

The Sacred Heart Church

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee has deferred a decision on listed building consent for the demolition of a disused chapel.

The deferral was agreed at a meeting of the committee at Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey, on Monday evening.

The applicant, Duneane Parish, is seeking permission to demolish the former Sacred Heart Church on Staffordstown Road, Toomebridge.

Planning officer Ashleigh Wilson told members the church lies 3.5 kilometres from Toome and confirmed the applicant’s request for listed building consent to demolish the structure.

According to a committee report, the church is a Grade B1 listed building, described as “a symmetrical early 19th century vernacular Roman Catholic Church with Gothic Revival detailing.

The building is currently vacant and has been redundant since the late 1990s following the construction of a new church located to the north-west of the site.”

The officer added that since the removal of roof slates, no repairs or temporary coverings have been carried out, leading to further deterioration of the building.

Ten letters of objection were received, raising concerns that demolition was “not justified and would set a precedent.” Objectors argued that the church could be restored for community use as a parish hall, describing it as having “historical, cultural and spiritual importance and [being] a local asset.”

They also disputed claims of anti-social behaviour or vandalism and urged that “alternative options should be explored to preserve the building.”

The Department for Communities’ Historic Environment Division (HED) also lodged an objection.

Speaking at the meeting, SDLP councillor for Antrim, Roisin Lynch – who is not a committee member but was granted speaking rights – requested a deferral, noting that the applicant’s structural engineer and property adviser were unable to attend.

“Without them, the committee will not have access to a full range of expert evidence needed to make a fair and balanced decision,” she said. “There is a difference of opinion between the experts and HED.”

Threemilewater Alliance Alderman Tom Campbell said: “When looking at listed buildings, one of the issues is whether or not the building could be used for some other purpose. This is in the middle of a graveyard, so any use would be pretty restricted.”

While acknowledging the church as “an attractive building” with “historical value,” he questioned potential alternative uses, describing them as “probably very limited in the middle of a cemetery.”

Ald Campbell proposed a deferral, seconded by Airport DUP Alderman Matthew Magill. Following a vote, the proposal was approved unanimously.