Trust Explains Its Role in Disposal of Vacant Premises

The old Downe Hospital in Downpatrick with the former St John’s residential Home in the foreground which was destroyed in 2012 in an arson attack.[/caption] Mr Livingstone said: “The process we use is the same as other public bodies across the North. Once a building is empty and no longer needed, we have to declare that it is no longer needed for it previous purposes. This then goes to a public sector trawl through a D1 notice. This could last  six months. “Sites currently vacant in the Down District Council  area are the former Down Hospital site, the St John’s Residential Centre, the Pound Clinic and several fields adjacent to the new Downe Hospital. “Sometimes if a housing association expresses an interest then we may include them in this process. If this then fails to materialise then we move to the public sale stage through the Land and Property Services. For example, there is an ongoing interest in Pound Lane so it is not out to public sale. Through the NIHE a housing association is currently looking at this site and discussions are ongoing. “The demolition of a building such as the Downe Hospital is an option but as there are listed parts to it this is made more difficult. As the process of disposal continues, in the Downe Hospital case we put exterior fencing around the perimeter and blocked off the windows. To put a full 24/7 guard on the building would add to the cost considerably and this option was not taken up. If this cost were met it would impact of other possible front line services somewhere else. It is difficult to completely secure a premises the size of the old hospital and Pound Lane. “There was some public sector interest in the old Downe Hospital site but this did not materialise into a firm purchase. The Trust then asked the LPS t appoint an agent to dispose of the property. An agent has been appointed and the process of sale has commenced. A project group has ben set up and is meeting monthly to oversee the sale. “What many people don’t realise is that the income from the sale of a premises by the Trust goes straight back to the Department of Finance and Personnel. The Trust does not profit for the transaction.  I don’t think that the DFP would allow us to act as a  landlord and allow us to site on vacant property and control it.” Councillor Cadogan Enright said: “We thought we were going onto a partnership with the South Eastern Trust but this explains now why we are not making any progress in developing the Downshire campus hub and the problem of bus access.  We really need to now tackle the Trust to get them fully on board.” Councillor Willie Walker also noted that it would be helpful if the Health Minister met with corporate bodies such as the Council or the Trust and this was agreed by Councillor McGrath who added that proper joined up government should include a meeting for an hour twice a year to discuss key issues should be set up. (The South Eastern Trust is required to follow guidance set out by the Land and Property Services which is an agency within the Department of Finance and Personnel.)]]>