News
Let's get it right!
UAHS continues to work with groups in the Cathedral and City Centre Conservation Areas to encourage heritage and culture-led regeneration in the birthplace of the city and are represented on the DSD sponsored Cathedral Quarter Steering Group.
The DSD backed 'Royal Exchange' retail-led scheme was advertised at the start of December. It involves a massive amount of demolition including late 19th century and interwar fabric and the complete loss of the interior (i.e. arcade) of the unusual 1930s North Street arcade by Cowser and Smyth. The unique structure was badly damaged as a result of an arson attack in April 2004. Original plans unearthed by the Society and a full photographic study of the building by Mervyn Smyth of Belfast Exposed would allow accurate reinstatement.
UAHS will be working with the Forum for Alternative Belfast, Belfast Civic Trust, Belfast Buildings Preservation Trust, Belfast City Centre Management's Character and Style Action Group, students and other groups to highlight the impact of the scheme on the built heritage and to lobby to retain historic fabric which is central to the character of the birthplace of the city.