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Following
a feasibility study of the site Newtownabbey
Borough Council has expressed support for an
ambitious plan to restore the building. This will
help the White House Preservation Trust to seek
funding for this £3 million
project
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Alistair
Coey who carried out the study said in his
report
The
feasibility study has been completed with the aim
of turning what is an inspirational dream into a
tangible reality
He
identified eight options but came to the conclusion
the best would be to create an integrated
educational resource centre.
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The
Mayor Alderman Paul Girvan
I
totally agree that it is important to protect our
history and believe this is the proper way of
moving forward
Councillor
Tommy McTeague
We
need to get behind them and give them our full
support. It is history on our doorstep.
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The
stages ahead will be
- An
archaeological dig
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- Securing
the existing structure, consolidating and
repointing walls
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- restoring
the White House on a conjectural
basis
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- Developing
the site as an educational
resource
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Councillor
Billy Webb - President of Abbey Historical
Society
I
have been involved since 1996 with trying to ensure
this building is not lost to future
generations.
I
look forward to the day when the White House will
be open to the public.The options outlined in the
report offer the chance to save the historic
building and the support shown across all parties
of the council will help to secure
funding.
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Bob
Armstrong - Secretary of Abbey Historical
Society
The
restoration of the White House has always been
close to my heart. A letter from the council will
help us when we are applying for funding from the
Heritage Lottery Fund. The process is about to get
underway as we invite tenders for an archaeological
dig which should start in the autumn. It will be
very exciting - you never know what we will
find.
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