THE weekend arson attack at a former care home in Downpatrick has sparked calls for the old Downe Hospital to be bulldozed.
Residents who live close to the vacant St. John’s House which was targeted last Sunday afternoon, fear the nearby hospital in Pound Lane could be another target for arsonists if it is not demolished.
The Victorian hospital — which closed three years ago — is a listed building which prevents demolition, but residents in St. Dillon’s Avenue want this special status removed.
Residents are becoming increasingly concerned that the former St. John’s House the old Downe and the nearby Pound Lane clinic have become a magnet for anti-social behaviour.
Two attempts were made to set fire to the former care home in July and residents say “it was only a matter of time before it was targeted again.”
Over 30 firefighters fought the blaze on Sunday evening and local residents were asked to stay indoors or leave the area at the height of the fire.
The South Eastern Trust — which owns the buildings at Pound Lane — has confirmed both St. John’s and the clinic are to be demolished shortly, but the organisation’s attempt to have the old Downe “de-listed” has been unsuccessful.
St. Dillon’s Avenue residents want the Environment Agency to allow the former hospital site’s demolition. They argue no one is going to buy the building which has been lying empty since 2009 and that it will be left to further deteriorate with a serious risk it will be set on fire.
Marina Palin said teenagers who congregate at Pound Lane and St. Dillon’s Avenue are causing trouble and said they are being blamed for smashing a number of car windows recently.
“The weekend destruction of the former care home was so sad. Many of us who live here fear the Downe Hospital could be the next building targeted by arsonists. It must be bulldozed. As it stands it’s an eyesore and a blight on this part of Downpatrick,” she added.
Dermot Norton, whose home overlooks all the former health service complexes in Pound Lane, agrees that the old Downe should be bulldozed. He said the building has been targeted by vandals and thieves and now lies in a “very sorry state.”
“The old hospital site offers so much potential to help regenerate this part of Downpatrick which has largely been forgotten about. Bulldozing the former Downe must be allowed to happen and will pave the way for the site’s redevelopment,” he added.
Brian Martin argued potential developers are not interested in the former hospital site with the old Downe still in place.
“The entire site is an eyesore which we have to look at day and daily. Last weekend’s fire at St. John’s did not come as a surprise to any of us and our biggest fear is that the old Downe will be next. The best thing to do is demolish the building now,” he added.
Marie McGolgan, who has lived at St. Dillon’s Avenue since 1947, described the old Downe as a “temptation” to those engaged in trouble at this part of Downpatrick.
She added: “It was only a matter of time before St. John’s was set on fire and it is very depressing to look out over Pound Lane in its current state. I believe the former hospital should be demolished to remove temptation from those who are causing trouble in this area.”
Martin Hamill said he hopes the weekend blaze will “focus minds” on the need to demolish the old Downe, a view shared by neighbour Margaret Trainor.
She added: “I am really concerned about what could happen to the old hospital. There are problems with teenagers running about this area and many of us fear the old Downe could be the next building set on fire.”