A CONSTRUCTION firm has blamed 'Storm Doris' after demolition work damaged a landmark listed building in Belfast city centre.
The former Bank of Ireland off Royal Avenue was damaged during the recent demolition of an adjacent building on North Street.
An investigation has been launched by Belfast City Council planners after the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society (UAHS) lodged a complaint.
It comes just months after the demolition of other buildings at the same site that were due to be granted listed status.
UAHS at the time said it was "outraged" and urged Stormont to do more to protect historic buildings.
According to Land Registry, the site at 95-107 North Street razed last year is owned by a company called ES North Street.
The firm is described on Companies House as 'active', but its most recent 2015 accounts were for a dormant company.
Its directors also hold directorships in McAleer & Rushe, a prominent Tyrone-based construction firm that sponsors the county GAA team.
After contacting McAleer & Rushe yesterday, The Irish News instead received a statement through a public relations firm on behalf of ES North Street.
In its response, the firm did not comment on the earlier demolition work last year or disclose its plans for the site.
But it said the more recent demolition was required due to last week's Storm Doris, and that it will work with council planners to repair the damaged former bank building.
"Due to the impact of Storm Doris which resulted in the collapse of building debris into the public street, it became necessary to demolish the vacant and redundant premises at 89-93 North Street," it said.
"During this process some minor damage was done to a previous render repair, at the adjoining listed Bank of Ireland Art-Deco building.
"ES North is working with Belfast City Council planning department regarding the repairs which it will deliver to ensure the preservation of the former Bank building.
"The listed building will be repaired with Portland stone, addressing the original damage, as part of the overall restoration which will bring this important building back into use."
Belfast City Council said the demolitions did not require consent, but that planners are investigating the damage caused to the old bank building.
A spokesman said: "Belfast planning service were made aware on Friday February 24 of damage to the adjacent listed building at 92-100 Royal Avenue as a result of this demolition. An enforcement case was opened immediately and is ongoing.
"Unauthorised works to a Listed Building is an offence under Section 85 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
"As this is an ongoing investigation, Belfast City Council cannot comment further on the case at this time."
The former bank is an Art-Deco-style, B+ listed structure and features a distinctive tiered clock tower.
Its construction began in 1928 and it was awarded listed status in 1990, but the building has been derelict since 2005 when Bank of Ireland moved to Donegall Square South.
The building was put on the market along with other properties at Kent Street and North Street in May 2015 and was sold in October for an undisclosed sum.
In 2012 the Occupy Belfast movement took over the building as part of protests against economic and social inequality.
