Building collapses on town’s main street

Editorial Department • Published 19 Aug 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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The building on Irvinestown’s main street.

A derelict building on Irvinestown’s Main Street has collapsed.

Part of the front wall of the former Balfour’s Shoe shop gave way and bricks and rubble tumbled on to the pavement below.

The incident happened last Wednesday night. There was no-one in the immediate vicinity at the time and no-one was injured.

A man who works nearby said: “If it had happened in the middle of the day it could have been very dangerous. It’s a place people stand around and have a chat. Pedestrians could have been injured and parked vehicles damaged.”

Builders have been working to make the property safe.

The owner, Ivan Bradshaw, from Drumhoney, Lisnarick, had applied for planning permission to demolish the existing building and replace it with a shop, apartments and cottage development.

A structural engineer had examined the building and basically condemned it as unsound.

However, the Planning Service said it was in an Area of Townscape Character, where there was a “presumption in favour of retaining any building which makes a positive contribution to” the character of Irvinestown.

It said consultation established that the structural condition of the building did not justify demolition.

There was a bulge in the front wall facing the street but no immediate signs it was about to collapse.

Mr. Bradshaw withdrew his application to demolish the building in May.

Now that it has collapsed the Planning Service has stated: “The developer may wish to re-apply in light of the current circumstances.”

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 19 Aug 10

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