By Tony O’Reilly-
Lissue House, a former psychiatric hospital in Lisburn with a haunting history of alleged sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, has garnered “significant interest” since being listed for sale at an asking price of around £525,000.
The property, which was once at the center of the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry, has ignited a debate about its future and potential buyers’ intentions.
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Lissue House’s dark history dates back to 2011 when claims of abuse at the children’s psychiatric hospital came to light.
The Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry investigated these allegations, uncovering harrowing stories of rape, torture, and mistreatment endured by the hospital’s residents.
One of the survivors, Carrickfergus resident Chris Donnelly, who was a former resident and examined by the inquiry, shared his experiences of bullying and physical abuse at Lissue House during the 1970s and 1980s.
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These incidents included forced smoking and eating, shedding light on the deeply troubling conditions that existed at the facility.
In 2016, the hospital faced yet another tragedy when a fire broke out, believed to have been started intentionally. The aftermath of this fire, which left the building severely damaged, raised questions about the future of the historical site.
The decision to put Lissue House up for sale has drawn considerable attention from potential buyers and raised questions about its redevelopment potential. Estate agents Lisney, which describes the property as a “historical landmark,” have reported substantial interest in the listing since it became available for purchase.
Lisney associate director Lynn Taylor, who is leading the sale, expressed optimism regarding the future of the property. “We have had quite a lot of interest in the building so far, and I think it’s going to gain even more,” she said, highlighting the property’s unique appeal.
Images included in the listing depict the interior of the building mostly gutted, signaling that significant renovations would be required to restore it to its former glory. Despite this, Ms. Taylor emphasized that Lissue House is a listed building, making its demolition complex and likely steering potential buyers toward redeveloping the property for alternative purposes.
Lisney’s description of the property highlights its sprawling grounds encompassing approximately 8.6 acres, with several existing structures totaling around 33,000 square feet. The estate features Lissue House, a gatehouse, stables, former residences, and various outbuildings. The listing refers to the property as a “former manor house.”
While there is anticipation that the property could be redeveloped into apartments, Ms. Taylor emphasized that all plans would be subject to planning permission and require careful consideration.
Remarkably, during property inquiries, potential buyers have not raised the controversial history of Lissue House. Ms. Taylor confirmed that Lisney was handling the sale as they would with any other property, despite the challenging past associated with the former psychiatric hospital.
Lissue House’s potential, as highlighted by Ms. Taylor, includes residential development, offices, hospitality, and leisure.
The scale and possibilities for refurbishment and redevelopment on the vast site have generated significant interest, notwithstanding its troubling history. The future use of the site will ultimately depend on the plans and approvals of the prospective buyers.
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