A local architecture student, who is in the process of establishing a preservation trust in Donaghmore, insists that re-development of long-vacant sites - including the old court house in Dungannon - would go a long way to improving the area's economy.
The call comes as Dungannon council agreed to enter into further discussion about a way forward on such listed buildings, after Town Councillor Vincent Currie argued that many such properties are "eyesores" which are blighting development in areas of dereliction.
Ryan Hughes, who is studying architecture and plans to set up a preservation group for his local area of Donaghmore, insists that "perserverance, imagination and enthusiasm" have proven that once great buildings can be brought back to use in even the most desolate of cases.
"Our local area is full of many recent examples, (with) work by pioneering organisations and individuals for commercial and residential use", the Donaghmore man told the Tyrone Times.



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