The Ulster Architectural Heritage Society (UAHS) has announced that a listed building currently at risk, Waterside Station, is to be the centre of a new transport hub in Derry-Londonderry.
UAHS writes:
UAHS is delighted that the Infrastructure Minister, Chris Hazzard, has announced that the listed Waterside Station will be the core of a new transport hub for Derry-Londonderry by 2020.
The building has been on the Built Heritage at Risk Register for Northern Ireland since 2012. Since as early as 2011, the Society has been closely involved in discussions on the options for a new transport hub with the position that a heritage led scheme based on the listed Station represents maximum benefit to the historic city.
In numerous meetings with senior elected representatives of all the parties, community interests, Translink management, and architects, it was gratifying to observe a developing consensus in favour of Northern Ireland’s last intact railway terminus station.
UAHS has also been in correspondence with the current owners of the building as a component of the debate and we are very pleased that an accommodation appears to have been reached in relation to a sale.
The Society will remain closely involved as detailed plans emerge, to help to ensure the best use of the historic fabric and appropriate outcome of final design.
It is hoped that the regeneration of the Waterside station reflects an emerging realisation within central and local government of the value of the remaining built heritage stock as an irreplaceable National Asset.
