Victoria Square apartments: Ministers 'happy to meet' owners

Owners of flats deemed defective at Victoria Square in Belfast had their bid for compensation struck out last week

The first and deputy first ministers have said they are happy to meet the owners of defective apartments in Belfast's Victoria Square complex.

Residents were forced to vacate their city centre homes in 2019 due to safety fears about the building's structure.

Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly confirmed they will take action, including legislative change, to help support the flat owners.

The issue is due to be raised at an Executive meeting later on Thursday.

Last week, owners of the Victoria Square apartments had their claim for compensation struck out.

They were told their case could not advance as, under the current law, claims must be made within six years of a building being completed.

There have been calls for new legislation to bring Northern Ireland in line with England and Wales, where owners of properties found to be defective have 30 years to make a claim.

Several Stormont ministers have said they are committed to changing the laws around defective buildings "at the earliest opportunity".

'Traumatising time' for residents

Speaking on Wednesday, First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the issue would be brought forward during an executive meeting.

She added that ministers are "determined to try to do their best" to bring forward the required legislative change.

"This is such a distressing time for people," she said.

"We have to find ways to help these people - this is a traumatising time for those people."

Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly say they are committed to helping the defective flat owners

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said there is a "fundamental unfairness" in the situation and that things must change.

"We need to do something to support those people who have been caught in this situation through no fault of their own despite being a significant financial loss and I have no doubt a significant amount of worry about this for some considerable years," she said.

Ms Little-Pengelly said she was keen to take urgent action to support the flat owners, and is happy to meet them to discuss what needs to be done.

"We do want to support them in any way that we can," she added.

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• Call for Stormont help over Victoria Square flats

Initially, there was confusion over which Stormont department held responsibility for this issue, after owners of the Victoria Square apartments called on politicians to act.

Last week, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons confirmed his department would take on responsibility.

His department is responsible for residential building safety under its housing remit.

On Tuesday, Mr Lyons met Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald and Agriculture and Environment Minister Andrew Muir to discuss the issues with the flats.

The ministers said they are "united with the single focus of supporting the residents".