McClelland, Andrew
(2017)
Conservation at the crossroads in Northern
Ireland: Terence O'Neill and the growing concern
for architectural heritage 1956–1969.
Irish Political Studies, 32 (3).
pp. 432-453.
ISSN 0790-7184
Abstract
Terence O’Neill maintained a keen interest in conservation and architectural
heritage, but his record on these issues in government in Northern Ireland is
largely unexamined. This article addresses this deficit through a
comprehensive review of the existing literature reinforced by archival
material, revealing the familial and other connections that O’Neill had with
the conservation world and civil society organisations, including his
sometimes behind-the-scenes interventions on conservation policy. The
momentous impact on the existing built environment from his drive to
‘transform the face of Ulster’ is ultimately foregrounded, particularly the
contemporary philosophy underpinning the ‘balanced approach’ to
development that was initially favoured by progressive opinion in the early
1960s, and the effect that the destruction of familiar places had on the
creation of new heritage values. However, the failure of O’Neill to introduce
town and country planning legalisation akin to that existing in Great Britain
frustrated the efforts of conservationists who grew increasingly vociferous in
their calls for action. As in other contested areas of public policy in the 1960s
in Northern Ireland, the destructive forces unleashed in the built environment
threatened architectural heritage and essentially remained unchecked in the
absence of timely reforms prior to Direct Rule from Westminster.
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