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KenGriffin

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KenGriffin

UTV - From City Quays 2 onwards

I am involved in the campaign to save Havelock House and someone pointed me to this thread. I just wanted to make a few observations.

The building is an eyesore in a part of Belfast that could do with much needed new housing. No point keeping a Such an ugly building for sentimental and nostalgic reasons.


We are not motivated by nostalgia but a desire to preserve a historic building which dates back to 1871. It is the last survivor among the UK's early regional TV centres, retaining its original studios and substantial portions of its original fabric. It also played an important role in the development of the ITV network as the headquarters of its first small company.

In terms of its appearance, you definitely aren't seeing it at its best. There's ornate brickwork and cut stonework beneath the plaster render which UTV applied in 1959. But we've been advised that this can be restored. We'd also be keen to see the bricked up windows on the ground floor reinstated.

Regarding future use, I don't think that residential use is a realistic proposition. During the planning process, it turned out that the site is on a sensitive 'interface' between the two local communities. Its boundary even includes a miniature 'peace wall'. We've been advised that something either cultural or community-focused would be a less contentious option.

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KG
KenGriffin

UTV - From City Quays 2 onwards

I am involved in the campaign to save Havelock House and someone pointed me to this thread. I just wanted to make a few observations.

The building is an eyesore in a part of Belfast that could do with much needed new housing. No point keeping a Such an ugly building for sentimental and nostalgic reasons.


We are not motivated by nostalgia but a desire to preserve a historic building which dates back to 1871. It is the last survivor among the UK's early regional TV centres, retaining its original studios and substantial portions of its original fabric. It also played an important role in the development of the ITV network as the headquarters of its first small company.

In terms of its appearance, you definitely aren't seeing it at its best. There's ornate brickwork and cut stonework beneath the plaster render which UTV applied in 1959. But we've been advised that this can be restored. We'd also be keen to see the bricked up windows on the ground floor reinstated.

Regarding future use, I don't think that residential use is a realistic proposition. During the planning process, it turned out that the site is on a sensitive 'interface' between the two local communities. Its boundary even includes a miniature 'peace wall'. We've been advised that something either cultural or community-focused would be a less contentious option.