A derelict stately home with links to the Siege of Derry could be given a new life as a peace centre and cultural hub, Ulster Business can reveal.
Boom Hall was build in 1780 but has sat vacant and derelict for decades.
A number of plans to bring the building back into use have been suggested, but now fresh plans are under way which would see it redeveloped into a residential peace centre, cultural space, including a nursery, along with residential accommodation.
Boom Hall took its name from its location close to where ships breached the boom across the River Foyle to end the Siege of Derry in 1689.
Since being badly damaged and abandoned in 1969, however, it has remained in a dilapidated state with roof, floors and windows missing.
Fresh plans have now been submitted by the Boomhall Trust to regenerate the building, alongside MCI Planning along with Simpson and Brown Architects.
“The trust has the general endorsement by Derry City and Strabane District Council for the re-instatement philosophy of Rutherford and an independent community wide survey dating from 2021 with 99% of the respondents in the region expressing a desire to see Boomhall restored,” a design statement says.
“The trust proposal is to rebuild, restore and use the completed Broomhall House as a residential peace centre with a focus on health and wellbeing, with the restored building comprising of shared meeting spaces, a library, event space and a cafe on the principal (ground) floor and bedrooms for residential institutional use located on the upper floors.
“On the basement floor a crèche – nursery or day care facility will operate with restricted access leading directly into the surrounding garden landscape.”
The plans would also include the building of two car parks, include a larger one at set back from the property, and located close to Culmore Road and Madam’s Bank Road.
Those behind the new plans say Simpson & Brown Architects are aiming to “improve the quality of the built environment through careful conservation work and well-mannered contextual design that is true to its time and place”.
“While respecting and acknowledging the past, their architecture strives to respond to the challenges of the future, particularly with regard to environmental sustainability and ecological awareness.”
Boom Hall House was last occupied in September 1969 as a domestic residence. The last known occupant was Michael McDevitt.
It was destroyed in the proceeding years and was gutted following three significant fires. By 1972 the building was without a roof, several windows were missing, and internal floors had collapsed. Over the proceeding years Boom Hall House was subjected to vandalism and looting and had become a den for anti-social behavior posing significant health and safety risk to those that gain unauthorised entry to the building.