Fires have caused significant damage to our finite listed buildings since the start of 2025. UAH note that nine listed buildings have been damaged by fire since the start of the year, including Herdman’s Mill, Hilden Mill, Duncreggan House in Derry, St Lucia Barracks in Omagh and Crilly House near Aughnacloy. We have also seen damage to a building with much character in the Lurgan Conservation Area. Fires at these places deny future generations the opportunities to use, live in and pass on our rare built heritage.

This is not a new phenomenon. Back in 2011 a Heritage Crime summit was held after there were 13 fires in listed or important historic buildings in a space of five months.1 In 2015 it was noted that over 10 years there were 38 fires at historic buildings.2 In 2023 it was noted that 95% of fires in derelict buildings (10year statistics) were started deliberately. 

Recent fires also make the process of restoring many of these buildings difficult and results in significant loss of historic fabric. The many fires at Hilden Mill starting from 2011 have resulted in a mill which only closed in 2006 now at significant risk. Hilden, Herdman’s and St Lucia Barracks represent difficult, vast and complex sites which could provide a solution to housing demand, enhance local tourism routes and opportunities for small businesses, but these are all being denied by the failure to secure the sites; having a static vacant appearance will only encourage further attempts at arson.

More must be done to enhance solutions at these locations, whether that be more security involving the local community who will undoubtedly know the weak points and have networks with local police and crime prevention networks. More work also needs to be done to find a meanwhile use for many of these structures, so to put off trespassers and more importantly keep the building in use and maintained. UAH recently held a Meanwhile Use event in North Belfast showing how such historic listed structures, if given the opportunity, can find a life after their original use changes. 

UAH work in partnership with the Historic Environment Division to deliver the Heritage at Risk Register (HARNI). Records now show that 10% of listed buildings are now at risk across NI. Listed structures added since 2020 show that of the 415 listed structures added, just over 50% were vacant. Further to this the recent Condition survey noted that of 1500 listed structures assessed some 33% were noted as being vacant a staggering 11% increase since the last survey in 2014/15. Vacant buildings are more likely to be targeted by arson than fully or partially occupied/utilised buildings. It is positive to see the Cathedral Building and Bank Buildings rise from the ashes and be carefully conserved after their disastrous fires. It shows what can be done, but it is worth noting these were two buildings which were not derelict or unoccupied. 

So what are the solutions? 

• UAH see it worthwhile to call for a Heritage crime summit to bring together Councils, heritage professionals, Government Departments, owners, emergency services and partners in the Republic and England, Scotland and Wales to provide an overview of the issue, the agencies involved and potential learning objectives from partners.

• Encourage Property Guardianship,3. – A property caretaker at an empty building would keep the lights on and be able to spot issues with structures. This would safeguard and secure a building for a period of time. Government and Councils should be leading the way and trialling this in many of the vacant listed assets that they own.  

• Encourage meanwhile use as a way to utilise a structure for studio space which similarly to the above encourages use of a structure. 

• Encourage maintenance and securing sites – Better maintained structures are less likely to be targeted compared to those that are derelict.

• Enhanced grants for targeted structural repairs to encourage owners to bring their buildings back from the brink and encourage its temporary reuse. 

• Insurance – Can be effective in restoring a building should the worst happen and is generally good practice to protect an asset.

• Encourage Councils and Government Departments to use repairs notices, which can stop access to structures and cause further damage. Idleness and acceptance of vacant historic structures, especially in urban settings can have a negative impact on the character of an area and reduces its potential.

To summarise more action is needed to safeguard many high risk sites from further damage. Enforcement to address “high risk” site security must also be addressed and crucially we must find a way to stop buildings falling into the vacant bracket not just by private owners and developers but also by Government and Council’s as well to ensure that these structures have a secured future.

Sources

1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-14529599 

2. Enforcing the issue: Limited action despite fires and unapproved alterations to historic buildings – Investigations & Analysis – Northern Ireland from The Detail

3. Property guardians: guidance – GOV.UK

4. Image courtesy of Newry ie (Abbey Way) – Newry.ie – Abbey Yard Listed Property Extensively Damaged in Overnight Fire

5. Image of Merchant Quay fire aftermath courtesy of Newry LN

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