It will cost well in excess of £20 million just to bring Marlborough House in Craigavon up to current standards for a modern office environment.
The Department of Finance (DoF) is keen to rid themselves of the 1970’s concrete structure and will fully vacate the site in early 2026.
The DoF has also been in discussion with the Southern Regional College about acquiring the site and are currently working through a suitability and viability assessment of the property with their consultant team and Department for Communities (DfC) Historical Environment Division (HED).
However, there HED are currently seeking responses on a consultation to have this building listed – much to the dismay of local representatives and residents.
The DoF has even has raised concerns with their counterparts at DfC, arguing that it may become derelict indefinitely once vacated by the civil service “as the listing may impact negatively on any potential sale should it come onto the open market”.
DUP MLA, William Irwin, questioned the finance minister, Caoimhe Archibald, on the costs of retaining and upgrading Marlborough House, such would be the requirement of any potential buyer if listed status was bestowed upon it.
In a written response, Ms Archibald said: “Marlborough House, Craigavon far exceeds the capacity needed for the civil service in the area and is the worst performing building in our Office Estate in terms of energy efficiency.
“My Department prepared a report in April 2021 on the building, which indicated that the mechanical plant and equipment was due for replacement and that the overall Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) strategy adopted in the building was no longer fit for purpose.
“This was followed up with an operational energy evaluation in April 2022 which assessed the HVAC system refurbishment options for the building. This report found that the building fabric is well out of date, with U-values (a measurement of how well a material or structure insulates heat) significantly greater than would currently be
expected. It also reported that the HVAC plant is significantly past its usable life expectancy and not appropriate for a modern office. The report concluded that these elements of the building are essentially at end of life.
“To bring the building up to current standards for a modern office environment, including the installation of double glazed windows, insulating external walls, replacing the HVAC plant and equipment, and replacing fossil fuel powered plant with an electrically driven alternative, was costed in the region of £18.6m.
“This would not, however, represent the total cost of refurbishing Marlborough House which would also require redecoration, carpeting and furniture throughout, as well as providing interim accommodation for staff, decanting and recanting.”
Concerns have been raised within ABC Council.
DfC is currently seeking the views of the council on the possible listing and the matter was discussed at a recent Planning & Regulatory Services committee meeting.
According to Alderman Gareth Wilson, finding a future for Marlborough House, as an unaltered listed building, could be problematic.
The DUP representative for Cusher DEA commented: “Having had a further chance to discuss it with my colleagues and also with HED, council officials and other members of the council as well, I just would like to propose that we we do take a wee bit of time on this issue.
“HED have a process and they’re following it quite rigidly, but in terms of ABC Council, and even in terms of Government departments, I think there’s a wider implication to this in terms of our borough, and in particular in Craigavon.
“I would also propose that we invite the three ministers – Economy, Finance and Communities – down to the council here, because I feel there’s a bit of a disconnect in terms of what ultimately this would mean.
“I would rather see all options on the table and the building left with a multitude of options, rather than nailing it down to one particular option, and maybe if that falls through, for that building being left mothballed for years to come [through] the actions of what is a very narrow arm of one department of our Assembly.
“I would propose that we pause our work on Marlborough House in terms of the response to HED’s consultation, we take some professional advice on that and then construct our response.
“And also, in the meantime, if we could invite the three ministers down for like a summit.
“I think it would be really useful because I feel we have only one shot at this, to leave that site with as much potential as possible before that window closes.”
Seconding Alderman Wilson’s proposal, Cllr Kevin Savage (Sinn Féin, Banbridge DEA) commented: “Can I make another proposal, that we ask the Department not to make a decision until we’ve had an opportunity to respond?
“I think that the course of action outlined by Alderman Wilson, about receiving professional advice and things like that, will make sure that the response we give is evidence-based and reflects the opinion of the council.”
