Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council councillors have approved an outline business case for restoring Steeple House and developing Steeple Park. The grade B+ listed Victorian and Edwardian mansion in Steeple Park suffered destruction from an arson attack in 2019.

The preferred plan includes stabilising the building long-term, building a courtyard with toilets, developing trails across the park, adding infrastructure and heritage displays, and creating on-site vehicle access and parking. Steeple Park covers 30 acres as a listed historic garden demesne. It contains a grade one listed 10th-century monastic round tower steeple maintained by the Department for Communities Historic Environment Division.

The council holds statutory duty to preserve the ruins of Steeple House and its outbuildings. Councillors agreed to submit an application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund seeking 70% of the project costs. The council plans to fund the balance.

Insurance funds from the arson claim sit in council reserves for potential use. Short-term safety measures followed the fire, but more work aims to halt further decay.

If the heritage fund bid fails, the council will opt for a smaller stabilisation effort. Stage two of the capital programme now covers the project, including hiring a consultancy team and drafting a full business case.

Antrim DUP Councillor Paul Dunlop BEM proposed the approval, seconded by Threemilewater Ulster Unionist Councillor Stephen Cosgrove.