Future of Larne’s final tower block clarified as Spring 2026 demolition plan

Latharna House high rise block of flats in Larne.

Mid and East Antrim councillors have been given assurances by the Housing Executive over the future demolition of Larne’s last remaining high-rise flats.

Speaking at a meeting of the council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee at The Braid in Ballymena on Tuesday evening, Housing Executive chief executive Grainia Long was responding to a query from Larne Lough Alliance Councillor Maeve Donnelly regarding the unoccupied tower block in the Riverdale area of the town.

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive confirmed in March 2023 that the last remaining tenant had been rehoused, with the building having lain empty since.

The Housing Executive and the Department for Communities have approved Latharna House for demolition.

Latharna House is the last of three blocks of Housing Executive flats on the site at the entrance to the town, with Gardenmore House and Shane House having already been demolished.

Ms Long said the demolition contract has to be re-tendered.

“We were very disappointed we had to go ahead and re-tender that. We do not want to delay that in any way. We are very keen to progress that as quickly as possible,” she told councillors.

In its Tower Blocks Update Autumn 2025 report, the Housing Executive states that the planned demolition of Latharna House is now expected to commence in spring 2026.

The organisation has previously said it will take approximately a year to fully demolish the block. Following demolition, the site will be cleared and a review of housing need will be carried out.

It is understood that the Housing Executive has been approached by housing associations expressing interest in building social housing accommodation on the Latharna House site.