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Sion welcome for boost in funding toward listed buildings

Thursday, 26 January 2012

LEADING figures behind Sion Mills' long-running bid to become a world heritage site have welcomed a boost in grant-aid.
Northern Ireland's Environment Minister announced on Monday that the cap on grant-aid for Northern Ireland's listed buildings would be raised three-fold - from £50,000 to £150,000.
There are currently around 8,200 listed buildings across Northern Ireland.
Strabane district boasts its own wealth of historic buildings. However, 15 of these properties are currently deemed to be at risk by the Department of Environment. They are located across the district's more rural spots, from Miller's Corn Mill in Artigarvan to Corick Abbey in Plumbridge.
The most renowned of these buildings are located in Sion Mills. Zion House, the adjoining Gate Lodge and Herdmans Mill, all feature on the government's 'at risk' list.
Sion Mills, based on the banks of the Mourne River, grew up around Herdman's Mill, founded by the Herdman family nearly 180 years ago. In its heyday the mill was at the heart of the world's linen industry, supplying companies across the globe.
The industry's shift to cheaper markets in the developing world had spelled its collapse by the beginning of the millennium. Left behind are the buildings which once accommodated the village's various industries and way of life.
But years of neglect have taken their toll.
Vested
Five years ago the Department of the Environment vested Sion House Stables, after its collapse. A major re-development of the B+ listed, nineteenth century building, is due to go out to tender in the coming weeks. Yet the fate of other historic buildings in the village remain uncertain.
This week, Celia Ferguson of Sion Mills' Building Preservation Trust welcomed the government's funding boost.
While stressing that projects in the village will be given no preference over schemes from other regions, she added: "Sion Mills is still hoping to be a world heritage site one day. And the NIEA [the Northern Ireland Environment Agency] are very keen to get something in Sion Mills."
She stressed the importance of preserving and promoting the Herdman family's legacy through the village's architecture.
“After all, the Herdmans were known for their work in Belfast to Donegal," she added.
“They were extreme radicals. Quoting from a 1910 newspaper, Sion Mills was the only socialist village which worked. I believe that was true."
Geraldine Stafford, Strabane District Council's economic development manager, said that Sion Mills "could be a huge economic filter for the district".
“We [Strabane District Council] put forward £50,000 for the [Sion Mills] masterplan seven or eight years ago. That masterplan is still there," she said.
“We would be anxious that the properties across the district are given due consideration for this money. The heritage of our district is our economic heritage."
Alluding to the levelling of Derry's historic shirt making factory, Hamilton's, earlier this month amid safety concerns, she added: "It would be awful to think any of these buildings in our district may be at risk. So we are hoping to get some of this money our way."

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