Council spends £950 removing derelict building wrap in Carrick

A report presented to the council’s Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism Committee last Monday night revealed that the wrap had been removed in the wake of a fire.

The PVC banner wrap was originally erected on the derelict property at 1-5 Belfast Road after Carrickfergus Borough Council in order to improve the property’s appearance.

It displayed an artist’s impression of the previous building.

However, a council report showed that on March 13 2016 a fire occurred at the property and the Fire Service had to cut the building wrap to gain access. The wrap was not badly damaged in this incident but has now “ripped in several sections and has been vandalised,” the report revealed.

It continued: “Following a site visit carried out by Council Officers concerns have been raised regarding the condition of the property as it may now be deemed as a dangerous structure. Council has commissioned an Engineer to survey the property and the wrap was removed on 30 September 2016 to allow for access.”

Prices are being sought for the repair and installation of the wrap, but the council is also considering “non-replacement”.

The report added that the owner of the property has died and the council has been “unable to identify ownership” but “intended to contact Land & Property Services to ascertain if the deeds have been transferred to other family members.”

Independent Cllr Jim Brown proposed that council retrospectively approve the amount spent on removing the wrap, and was seconded by DUP Cllr Cheryl Johnston.