By Violet Brown
ALMOST 200 new homes could be created at the site of an historic building in Millisle that once housed a borstal and a Prison Service training college.
Plans are in the pipeline to convert the historic Woburn House into eight luxury apartments and to construct 190 new homes in the surrounding grounds.
Local residents are being encouraged to have their say on the development after the proposals were unveiled last week.
The iconic building, which was originally surrounded by over 50 acres of woodland, was built in the 19th century for use as a summer residence for industrialist John Dunbar. The building was extended, including the construction of the tower overlooking the coast, as it passed on to future owners.
It was used as a convalescent home for injured soldiers during the Second World War before being acquired by the state in the early 1950s. Since then it has various incarnations including a borstal, a prison museum and a Prison Service training centre.
Senior officials of Woburn Developments, which was established to deliver the heritage project including the restoration of the B2 listed mansion overlooking the North Channel to its former glory, unveiled their plans at a special event in Millisle last week. They include the demolition of the outbuildings surrounding the listed building and the restoration of landscape features including a walled garden.
Alongside the restoration work an enabling development is proposed to create 190 new homes with a mix of semi-detached and detached houses, bungalows, bungalows, apartments and townhouses. This development is designed to support the long-term commercial viability of the Woburn House restoration.
Woburn Developments want to submit a planning application for the development early in 2026 and prior to this are undertaking a period of community consultation to seek the views of people living nearby. Feedback can be submitted digitally at woburnhouseconsultation.co.uk or alternatively email contact@woburnhouseconsultation or call 0808 1688 296.
North Down MLA Connie Egan attended the public consultation session held in Millisle last week and has encouraged residents to have their say on the future of the historic site.
“It is important that any plans to redevelop the site respect the character of the building and its surroundings,” she said.
She welcomed the fact that residents were being encouraged to provide feedback on plans to convert the house into apartments, restore the exterior of the building, and to build homes on the surrounding land.
“We all want to see the site restored and brought back into use – nevertheless it is important that the developers, local residents and the council all take the time to consider the details of the proposals before any further steps are considered,” she added.
“It is crucial that people within the local community are heard, and that their views are taken into account appropriately and I would encourage residents to have their say on the plans and to find out more information on the Woburn House consultation website.”
