Belfast Buildings Preservation Trust

The Belfast Buildings Preservation Trust (BBPT), founded in 1996, is a cross community charity that exists to rescue those buildings for which no apparent sustainable use can be found.

Each building rescued by the Trust seeks to regenerate the community it serves in a variety of ways, from traditional skills promotion to job creation and engendering a sense of civic pride.

The Trust’s work demonstrates what can be achieved through vision, determination and community energy. It is committed to restoring to Belfast those buildings that make it special, and which are landmarks in the heart of the city’s communities.

Mr Paul Millar, the current Chairman of the Trust is a Chartered Architect with experience in regeneration and restoration work. The founding Chairman, Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle MBE, with a background in Public Affairs, also has experience of regeneration projects and sits on the Board of a number of other regeneration charities, including The Prince's Regeneration Trust [http://www.princes-regeneration.org/] .

Completed Projects

The BBPT has completed two regeneration projects since its inception - St. Patrick's School, Donegall Street and Christ Church, College Square North.

"ST PATRICKS NATIONAL SCHOOL (1828)" was built by the Newry architect Timothy Hevey on land donated by the Marquess of Donegall for the first catholic National School in the City. It continued to serve the educational needs of the north of the City until it closed in 1982. Situated in a sectarian interface area (which witnessed the highest murder numbers in the history of Northern Ireland’s troubles), the building was nevertheless well beloved of both communities. A package of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund [http://www.hlf.org.uk/english] , Architectural Heritage Fund [http://www.ahfund.org.uk/] and the trust’s own borrowings ensured a completed project, and today the building houses offices, a bookshop and a restored classroom, extensively used by both local communities for events from creative writing classes to business seminars. [http://www.ahfund.org.uk/cases/HR_NI_StPatrick.pdf] [ [http://archive.nics.gov.uk/env/011026a-env.htm 011026a-env ] ]

"CHRIST CHURCH (1832)" built by the Dublin architect William Farrell is situated in an equally difficult area between loyalist Sandy Row and republican Durham Street. Having suffered a declining congregation, the church closed in the early 1990s and was the victim of many attacks before arson in 1995. With a similar package of funding to St Patrick’s School and a partnership with the board of governors of The Royal Belfast Academical Institution the building is now restored as a library and IT centre, with extensive community use. The building was opened by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2003 [ [http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/newsandgallery/news/hrh_arrives_in_northern_ireland_and_opens_a_first_phase_of_a_306.html The Prince of Wales - HRh arrives in Northern Ireland and opens a first phase of a new hospital in Belfast ] ] and has won many architectural and regeneration awards. This building in particular is proof of the way in which restored buildings can bridge communities when politicians’ words cannot. [http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/built/risk/case_studies.htm] [http://freespace.virgin.net/rita.uahs/ChristChurch.html]

Future Projects

Having celebrated its tenth birthday in 2006, BBPT is currently engaged in a number of potential regeneration projects across Belfast. These include Sussex Place, Carlisle Memorial Methodist Church and the Good Shepherd Gate Lodge on the Ormeau Road. In addition, the Trust has been in negotiations with Belfast City Council for some years over the possible restoration of the fine Floral Hall at Belfast Zoo.

Related Projects

Founded by Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle MBE in 1996, BBPT has long held an awareness of the need to foster civic responsibility and engagement to help protect and regenerate Belfast's historic buildings. To this end, BBPT assumed responsibility for the organisation of the Northern Ireland Schools Debating Competition from Belfast Civic Trust some years ago.

Additionally, BBPT plays an active role in advocacy and lobbying with government departments, fellow preservation trusts and other bodies interested in preservation and regeneration. It is a member of the UK Association of Preservation Trusts [http://www.ukapt.org.uk/index.php] and a leading organisation in the Built Heritage Forum as well as a sister organisation of the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society [http://www.uahs.co.uk/] .

References