Angry heritage campaigners have vowed to seek legal advice after permission to
demolish the historic Athletic Stores building for a seven-story retail and
residential development was approved.

The 19th century former linen cuff and collar makers’ warehouse is not a
listed building but lies within Belfast Conservation Area.

News that Environment Minister Alex Attwood had “with regret” given the green
light for the Queen Street building to be knocked down and replaced was
greeted with shock.

The minister said he had exhaustively considered options to save the building,
but it has serious structural flaws, is leaning into the street and it
cannot be refurbished to provide units for modern living and working.

Meanwhile, the minister ruled out proposals to retain the historic facade on a
new build, saying the necessary works would affect the character of the
building and would not be financially viable.

The Ulster Architectural Heritage Society (UAHS) branded the minister’s
decision “very surprising”, given that he has recently flagged up the vital
role that historic buildings play in generating prosperity.

The group said it would be forced to seek legal advice about its option.
Planning approval for the building’s demolition was quashed in 2010 after
the society sought a judicial review.

“This decision will regrettably have a very strong negative impact,” a UAHS
spokesman said.

“This Victorian warehouse helps tell the story of Belfast’s industrial past
and should have been robustly defended by the department, not just for its
own sake, but because of its acknowledged regenerative potential.

“While few large scale developments are economically viable at the present
time, we remain of the opinion that re-use of existing buildings provides
schemes that are attractive and economically comparable to new-build
options.

“In this case we remain of the very firm opinion that it is economically
viable to at least retain the building’s facade. UAHS regrets that we are
impelled to seek legal advice about the options left open to the society at
this stage.”

A Belfast Buildings Preservation Trust spokesman branded the decision “deeply
regrettable”, adding: “In making this decision, the minister is saying that
alleged economic development overrides the crucial role that Belfast’s
historic buildings provide to the city’s identity and sense of place.”

Signatures have begun appearing on an online petition to save the building.

Ciaran Logue, who posted the petition at www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveswanstonsathletic,
said: “It strikes many as ridiculous that such a striking building should be
demolished.”

Mr Attwood said: “I have worked to see if the building, even the facade could
be saved.

“It has been a hard decision but I believe the better one. In coming to this
view, I have been mindful of the risky state of the building, the unhealthy
state of the property market and the disproportionate and uneconomic costs
to even save the facade.

“I don’t come to this decision lightly, but I consider it the better way to
proceed.”

Background

Five historic buildings now gone from Belfast’s skyline

• Grand Central Hotel
• Loopland Mill
• Gallaher’s Tobacco Factory
• Willowfield Unionist Hall
• Plaza Ballroom