Minister urged to save Wexford's Old Mill House from demolition

The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera, has been urged to save a historic building in Wexford from demolition.

Local objectors have asked Ms de Valera to declare the five-storey stone-brick building, known as the Old Mill House, an architectural monument. Wexford Corporation said the developers, F.G. & P.J. Stafford, were legally entitled to knock it down as it was neither listed nor habitable. And it is thought, at this stage, that only Ms de Valera's intervention can prevent demolition.

A local businessman, Mr Oliver Canty, said it would be "a dreadful loss to the town if it's demolished. Why it's not listed, it's hard to understand. One can only conclude the corporation is failing to protect its architectural heritage."

The Heritage Council's planning officer, Mr Paddy Mathews, said the building merited listing. It was similar in design, albeit smaller, to a grain store which was to have been demolished by the same developers recently until a protection order was put on it.

"The character of that area of Wexford town depends on the presence of such warehouse buildings and their relationship with one another," said Mr Mathews. "It will be a great loss to the town if it goes."

The roof of the structure has already been removed in preparation for demolition, which is due to take between two and three days to complete, according to Mr John Atkinson, head of building contractors Wexford Project Management.

The site forms part of an area at Paul Quay on which the developers hope to build a 100-bed hotel, leisure centre, cinema and apartment complex as part of a £20 million investment. A planning application for the project is due to be submitted in the next eight weeks. To date the corporation has received an application for a 396-space multi-storey car-park only.

Mr Mathews said it seemed the developers wished to demolish the building before applying for permission because, if a planning decision was appealed, An Bord Pleanala could ask for the structure to be retained.

A local Fine Gael councillor, Ms Anna Fenlon, urged the developers to reconsider demolition. "It is a pity they couldn't work the building into the new scheme as it is in good condition."