Board urged to lease Hilden building for community

A LOCAL group has joined Lisburn Council in asking the South Eastern Education Library Board to lease the vacant Hilden Primary School building to the council for community use.

The historic building has been lying empty since the closure of the school in 2008 and local residents have repeatedly expressed concern about vandalism at the site.

Now Hilden Community Association and the council are hoping to utilise the site for the benefit of the Hilden community and put an end to the anti social behaviour at the school.

“It was a devastating blow when Hilden Primary School closed,” said Barry Donaghy, Chairman of Community Association. “For many years, the school building has been at the heart of the community in the Hilden area and as a Community Association we are working with our elected representatives to try to have this facility returned to the local community so that once again, people from the local area can avail of a wonderful building for the whole community.”

The Mayor, Alderman Paul Porter, said several meetings had been held in recent months with the South Eastern Education and Library Board to discuss the future of the building.

“Securing a long term lease will mean Lisburn City Council working alongside Hilden Community Association and different agencies to find funding that will help restore the school site back to the local community,” he explained.

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson urged the Board to lease the school to the Council.

“It would be a shame and disgrace if such a facility is left lying idle whenever we have a very active Community group in the area and many programmes that could utilise such a building.”

Local MLA Jonathan Craig added: “Over the last few months there has been anti-social behaviour in regard to the building. Windows have been smashed and I would prefer that the South Eastern Board in co-operation with the Community group and Councillors work together to secure funding before the building is irreparably damaged.”

A spokesperson for the SEELB said that a meeting would be held to discuss the matter.

“Following discussions, formal contact regarding council use of Hilden Integrated Primary School has occurred at Officer level and a meeting has been arranged between both the Board and Council officers to progress the matter,” he said.

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