Council motion calls for retention of ‘iconic’ Rathcoole tower blocks

A motion was tabled by Alliance Macedon Counclllor Billy Webb ahead of a remote meeting of the local authority on Monday afternoon.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey is being asked to intervene to save Abbotscoole House, Carncoole House, Monkscoole House and Glencoole House.

The council is also calling for “sufficient finance to be made available to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for refurbishment of these

properties” in recognition of the “housing need in north Belfast”.

Cllr Webb suggested that the cost of demolition would be in the region of £1m yet refurbishment would amount to an additional £0.5m.

He said that a public meeting was held with residents to discuss the issue recently.

He indicated that one resident had purchased her flat just three years ago.

“She is facing now the possibility of losing her home.”

Cllr Webb indicated that Monkscoole House is currently unoccupied after closing late last year.

He went on to say he does not believe that the residents of the three remaining blocks, believed to be several hundred, could be rehoused in the immediate area.

The motion was seconded by DUP Councillor Dean McCullough and Ulster Unionist Councillor Robert Foster.

Last month, a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) said: “The Department for Communities approved the Housing Executive’s business case recommending the demolition of Monkscoole House on January 10.

“It is likely that it will take at least a year before the block is demolished. This is due to the requirement to both appoint a consultant to prepare a demolition scheme and procure a contractor to undertake the work.”

One of the neighbouring blocks in the Newtownabbey estate is also earmarked for removal.

The spokesperson added: “In the Housing Executive’s Tower Blocks Action Plan, it is proposed to also demolish the adjacent Abbotscoole House. As with the decision on Monkscoole House, this will require departmental approval of a business case.

“We currently propose to retain Carncoole House and Glencoole House for a period of at least 10 years, and undertake associated improvement works.”

Macedon Councillor Dean McCullough said that he was “delighted” to second the motion. 

He reported that approximately 100 residents, who are concerned about the possibility of not being rehoused in the locality, attended the public meeting.

Cllr McCullough also highlighted an existing waiting list for homes in the area.

“That is why we are saying there is a housing crisis and what needs to happen is Department for Communities needs to work in partnership with ourselves and residents to come up with innovative ways to ensure that regardless of what happens, the people of the multi-storeys can stay within the locality.

“The multi-storeys should not be demolished. There should be adequate resources put in place to bring them up to standard.

“They are an iconic part of the fabric of Rathcoole.

“We have made it clear, this is not acceptable. It is running down part of our constituency.”

A DfC spokesperson said: “The Housing Executive has taken all issues into consideration i.e. housing need, investment requirements, funding etc. when deciding on a strategic approach for its Tower Block portfolio. This Action Plan was approved by its Board in March 2019 and endorsed by the Department in August 2019.

“The Housing Executive will submit business cases setting out their proposals for individual blocks, and these will be considered by the Department on a case-by-case basis.”

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter