By Sarah Curran
DEMOLITION at Bangor’s Rathgael House tower block has cost £750,000, with ‘no firm’ plans for the future of the site.
North Down MLA Alan Chambers has called into question the future use of the site, which is the responsibility of the Department of Finance, once the demolition of the building has been completed.
However following a reply from the Finance Minister, Mr Chambers said it seemed there were ‘no firm plans’ in place for the site.
Caoimhe Archibald, the Finance Minister, told Mr Chambers that the demolition took place as ‘part of our ambitious Office Estate Strategy’.
“We have also invested in improvements to the other accommodation on the site to deliver our needs for the area,” she said.
“Following the demolition, works will progress on a new entranceway to the site.
“The Department is also considering longer term accommodation options for the area and is in discussion with relevant stakeholders to help inform any future decisions.”
Mr Chambers said he also questioned the Education Minister, Paul Givan, about future plans for the former premises of Cotton Primary School.
Again Mr Chambers said the response he received did not ‘shine any more light on future use of the premises’.
He was told the premises are being retained by the Education Authority for ‘potential alternative educational use for Special Educational Needs provision’ and that a review on its potential usage is ‘currently ongoing’.
Mr Chambers said: “The longer these premises are left to become more derelict it will require a total rebuild rather than an upgrade to be of any use.
“Hopefully the Education Authority will finalise and share their future plans for the premises in the near future.”
