Concern at proposed listing of 1970s office block in Co Armagh

Concern has been voiced at a proposal to list a Co Armagh building described as one of the best examples of 1970s modernism in Northern Ireland.

Marlborough House is an office block built between 1973 and 1977 during a since-abandoned effort to create the new city of Craigavon, named after Northern Ireland’s first prime minister Sir James Craig.

The building, designed by the Craigavon Development Commission architects, has been described as one of the best preserved examples of large-scale 1970s modernism in Northern Ireland.

Recently the building has housed Department of Finance offices, but they are intending to vacate in 2026, leaving a question mark over the future of the structure.

In an answer to a recent Assembly Question, Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald said Marlborough House exceeded the capacity needed for the civil service in the area and is the worst performing building in its office estate in terms of energy efficiency.

She also said that refurbishing the property had been priced at least £18 million.

DUP Newry and Armagh MLA William Irwin said there is concern among councillors in the area over listing the building and potentially restricting future use.

“I don’t think it is appropriate to list it, the character of the building is not, in any way, in keeping with listed buildings,” he told the PA news agency.

“Listing a building has consequences in terms of what can be done with it in the future, and there are concerns around the character of it for listing, rarely do you see buildings such as Marlborough House being listed.

“There are concerns within the council at the possibility of the building being listed. Listing the building isn’t the way forward.”

Mr Irwin raised the matter with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons during a sitting of the Stormont Assembly on Monday.

Mr Lyons said he had been briefed by officials on the proposed listing and its case for special interest in architectural and historical terms.

“My officials have also advised that an independent report was commissioned from a heritage architect by the Department of Finance, the owners of Marlborough House, to consider the department’s proposal to list. This review did not dispute any of the claims,” he told MLAs.

“Senior officials in DoF have made officials in my department aware that DoF intends to vacate the building and dispose of the site in 2026.

“DoF has also made the DfC aware the listing of Marlborough House might, in their view, have a detrimental impact, either on the future viability of the site for use by another public sector body, or on any potential sale of the building should it come on to the open market.

“My department has met with the Department of Finance and with councillors from our ABC Council, and extended the listing process to allow time for this.”

He added: “Even if the building is listed, that does not mean that it cannot be demolished.

“All planning applications related to listed buildings are determined by the local council. They assess the merits of the building special architectural or historic interest against current planning policy.

“My department will be a statutory consultee for the planning process, but ultimately that will be a decision for the council to make.”

In a statement, the Department for Communities said no final decision has been made on listing Marlborough House.

“The Department for Communities has sole responsibility under Section 80 of the Planning A(NI) 2011 to list buildings of special architectural or historic interest,” they said.

“It fulfils this responsibility through officials in its Historic Environment Division (HED).

“HED has determined that Marlborough House meets the criteria for listing and is proposing to list Marlborough House as grade B1.

“There has been no final decision made on this proposal as it is subject to statutory consultations.

“This will also involve HED’s evaluation of any additional evidence in relation to the criteria for listing provided.”