Local residents reassured vacant Mill House building in Harryville remains unoccupied

Mill House in Harryville; Councillor Lawrie Philpott attended the property.

Residents in Harryville have been reassured that nobody is currently living in the long-vacant Mill House building on Henry Street in Ballymena following concerns circulating on social media about activity at the site.

The former hostel, located close to Harryville Bridge, has remained vacant since closing in 2019 and has recently become the subject of online speculation regarding people allegedly entering and leaving the property.

In response to those concerns, both an independent local councillor and a North Antrim MLA visited the building and met with the property’s management to establish the facts surrounding its current use and condition.

Inspection carried out following social media concerns

Independent Ballymena councillor Lawrie Philpott said he decided to visit the site after becoming aware of concerns being shared online regarding movement of people to and from the property.

He said he attended the building without prior warning before contacting the property manager, who arrived on site within 15 minutes and facilitated access throughout the premises.

Ind councillor, Lawrie Philpott, outside Mill House in Harryville, Ballymena

Councillor Philpott said he inspected every room on each floor of the building and found no evidence of anyone living there.

He said:

“I was made aware of some social media concerns around movement of people to and from Mill House at Harryville Bridge.

“I went across myself without warning and after looking around the property I called the property manager who met me on site within 15 minutes of my call.

“I went into every room on each floor and I observed no form of living whatsoever.”

Councillor Philpott added that he had been informed that individuals had previously broken into the building for the purpose of taking drugs, but said the issue had been addressed and efforts had been made to secure the property as effectively as possible.

MLA also visits site

Outside Mill House in Harryville, Ballymena

TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston later visited Mill House after receiving an invitation from the property’s manager to inspect the premises and discuss what the future may hold for the site.

Mr Gaston described being struck by the scale of the building during his first visit inside the former hostel, noting its sizeable footprint and large number of rooms.

He said he had seen for himself that nobody was currently residing in the building and was informed that no one would occupy the main property before it is sold.

Mr Gaston also said there are currently no confirmed plans for the site and that any future proposals would be explored in line with commitments made following unrest in Ballymena last year.

He expressed hope that the visit would help reassure local residents and address concerns that had been circulating online in recent weeks.

Residents urged to report suspicious activity

The building’s windows have been boarded up in an effort to secure the site and prevent unauthorised access.

Councillor Philpott has urged members of the public to contact police if they witness anyone attempting to gain entry to the property or believe someone is inside the building unlawfully.

Suspicious activity can be reported to the PSNI through its online reporting system or by contacting 101 directly.

Although Mill House remains vacant and no future use for the site has yet been confirmed, local representatives say recent inspections should provide reassurance to nearby residents that the building is currently unoccupied and secured.