Stormont is listing buildings but won’t give money to repair them, so they’re collapsing and an accelerating rate. Yet in the Republic, vast sums are being spent on retaining priceless built heritage

After their building was listed by Stormont, the congregation of All Saints Church are preparing to leave their home since Victorian times. Peter Morrison

After their building was listed by Stormont, the congregation of All Saints Church are preparing to leave their home since Victorian times. Peter Morrison

Imagine a government official turning up at your door with a legal order compelling you not to make basic alterations to your property such as replacing the windows and forcing you to pay astronomically more for the building you own.

That’s what happened to a Church of Ireland cleric last year, and now his congregation is preparing to move out of the building where they’ve worshipped since Victorian times.