The Planning(Northern Ireland) Order 1991

Urgent works to preserve building

80.—(1) Where it appears to the Department that works are urgently necessary for the preservation of—

(a) a listed building, or

(b) a building in respect of which a direction has been given by the Department that this Article shall apply,

the Department may, subject to the following provisions of this Article, execute the works, which may consist of or include works for affording temporary support or shelter for the building.

(2) The ground on which the Department may give a direction that this Article shall apply to a building is that the building is in a conservation area and it appears to the Department that its preservation is important for maintaining the character or appearance of the conservation area.

(3) If the building is occupied works may be carried out only to those parts which are not in use.

(4) The owner of the building shall be given not less than seven days' notice in writing of the intention to carry out the works and the notice shall describe the works proposed to be carried out.

(5) Paragraphs (6) to (10) have effect for enabling the expenses of works executed under this Article to be recovered by the Department.

(6) The Department may give notice to the owner of the building requiring him to pay the expenses of the works.

(7) Where the works consist of or include works for affording temporary support or shelter for the building—

(a) the expenses which may be recovered include any continuing expenses involved in making available the apparatus or materials used; and

(b) notices under paragraph (6) in respect of any such continuing expenses may be given from time to time.

(8) The owner may within 28 days of the service of the notice appeal to the planning appeals commission against the notice on any of the following grounds—

(a) that some or all of the works were unnecessary for the preservation of the building;

(b) in the case of works for affording temporary support or shelter, that the temporary arrangements have continued for an unreasonable length of time;

(c) that the amount specified in the notice is unreasonable or that the recovery of it would cause him hardship.

(9) The planning appeals commission shall give notice of its determination, the reasons for it and the amount recoverable to the owner of the building and to the Department and the determination of the appeals commission shall be final.

(10) Any expenses recoverable by the Department under this Article shall be a civil debt recoverable summarily.