AQW 12501/22-27
Mrs Deborah Erskine
Democratic Unionist Party
Fermanagh and South Tyrone
Tabled Date: 24/05/2024
Answered On Date: 05/06/2024
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance to detail (i) the cost of maintaining vacant houses located in the Stormont estate in each of the last five years; and (ii) the plans for these vacant properties.
Answer:
There are three vacant houses located on the Stormont Estate. Villa 1 and Villa 2 are semi-detached domestic residences and Stormont House is primarily office accommodation, however it includes sleeping accommodation on the second floor. The Villas have been unoccupied for the whole of the relevant period and Stormont House has been unoccupied since the Northern Ireland Office vacated the building in April 2022. The cost of maintenance in each of the last 5 years is in the table below. Financial Year | Vacant Maintenance Costs £ | 2019-20 | 10,381.79 | 2020-21 | 15,510.36 | 2021-22 | 9,087.89 | 2022-23 (includes Stormont House costs) | 52,035.57 | 2023-24 (includes Stormont House costs) | 49,655.19 | Total | 136,670.80 |
As all three houses are listed, my Department will continue to maintain them in accordance with the legislation for listed buildings. There are no current plans for occupying the Villas. Options are being developed for the future use of Stormont House and plans are progressing to demolish an unlisted Annex during 2024/25 and carry out necessary works to the House.
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