Victoria Square apartments Belfast: Residents agree to keep pressure on MLAs for law change as appeal deadline 'imminent'

Earlier this month the High Court rejected an application by residents for compensation from the builders and architects, because the application came several years after the current six year time limit.

Although there appears to be no definitive date, residents understand the deadline for them to apply to appeal the court judgement is imminent.

One resident said the deadline to apply the court judgement on compensation is 28 Thursday, while others believe it is 3 April.

The Office of the Lord Chief Justice was unable to confirm a date.

Some residents have previously told the News Letter that their costs before the final hearing were £500,000. They believe they will immediately be liable for their legal costs and those of the builders and architects unless they appeal the court decision.

However, some are nervous about embarking on more expensive litigation without the assurance that the legal time limit for claims has been extended, thus allowing them a chance to win their claim and potentially have their costs covered.

Patrick McKeague attended the residents meeting on Wednesday night.

"We talked about how pleased we were that our rates since 2019 are going to be refunded," he said. "However no decision was taken on whether we will lodge an appeal or not.

"We are awaiting action by our MLAs and urging them to extend the time limit for compensation claims in law as a matter of urgency," he told the News Letter.

"We just feel we need to keep lobbying our MLAs and executive to keep the pressure on them to bring the time limit for claims into line with England."

Residents spent 25 minutes last night discussing the appeal option.

He said Ulster Garden Villages, a major charity owner in the properties, said it would consult with its board about the matter and let the other residents know their decision today, Thursday.

"The rest of us understood that it is really make-up-our-mind-time because the deadline is today [Thursday].

"Residents did not make a decision on the appeal because their focus is very much on securing action by MLAs."

The News Letter asked the Executive Office and Department for Communities (DFC) to respond.

A DfC spokesperson said: “The Communities Minister is actively engaging with Ministerial colleagues to put in place all possible support and assistance to residents of Victoria Square.

“The issues involved are significant and complex.

“A way forward has been found on the issue of payment of rates and there is full agreement on the need for a legislative solution.

“The Communities Minister has instructed officials to urgently take forward work on an amendment to Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.

“It is intended that this will be brought to the Assembly as soon as possible, subject to the agreement of the Executive and the Assembly.”