Ian Lumley (born 1958) is an Irish conservationist, who has notably served with An Taisce - The National Trust for Ireland over an extended period, principally as its heritage officer, and latterly as one of its three senior managers, as head of advocacy.
Early life
editConservation work
editLumley was a volunteer with An Taisce for many years before becoming its heritage officer around 2000,[1] and in 2023 taking up the new post on a rationalised senior management team of three, as "head of advocacy", overseeing the organisation's work on planning and policy.[2] Described in the Irish Times as "one of Ireland's most courageous guardians of the built and natural environment",[1] Lumley has focused his approach on using legal tools and processes to address developments of concern.[1]
Lumley has also worked as director of projects with the Dublin Civic Trust[3] and held a senior role with the Spitalfields Historic Buildings Trust in London.[3] Much of Lumley's work, even in formal roles, has been unpaid.[4]
Court cases
editIn January 2005, Lumley was barred from acting as a director of a number of companies for five years, after a High Court hearing into the liquidation of a limited company he co-founded to campaign on environmental issues.[5]
In April 2019, Lumley lost an appeal to An Bord Pleanála on plans to extend the number of Airbnb-style studio lettings at his Georgian property in Dublin. This followed the refusal of planning permission to Lumley and builder Patrick Wigglesworth to convert the lower ground floor of their property at 3 Henrietta Street into three short-term-lease studio apartments.[4]
In January 2023, Lumley was sued in the High Court by one of his tenants, Luke Barnett, alleging that he was threatened with eviction.[6] Barnett claimed he was woken up on 16 January 2023 by loud banging, and found Lumley and some masked men standing there. Lumley said that Barnett did not have a tenancy agreement, and also alleged Barnett had received repeated warnings over his behaviour, and claimed Barnett had engaged in repeated anti-social behaviour. The case was settled on confidential terms.[6]
Personal life
editIn 1982, Lumley purchased a house on Henrietta Street in Dublin, a street of substantially intact Georgian buildings, and worked on its restoration over many years. His kitchen was used as a television scene in the series Penny Dreadful.[7] He partnered with a developer to restore another property on Henrietta Street, partly funded by short-let accommodation.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Battersby, Eileen (22 May 2010). "At war with the blots on our landscape". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Key Staff". An Taisce - The National Trust For Ireland. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Preservation by example". The Irish Times. 6 February 1996. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ a b c "An Taisce heritage officer has plans for Airbnb-style studio lettings shot down on appeal". The Irish Independent. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Court bars two from company directorships". The Irish Times. 12 January 2005. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
One of the foremost environmental activists in the State has been barred from acting as a director of certain companies for five…
- ^ a b "Tenant allegedly threatened with eviction by masked men settles action against landlords". The Irish Times. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
Luke Barnett sued Michael Smith and Ian Lumley in High Court after incident which he alleged left him 'scared'
- ^ Wood, Gaby (10 September 2018). "This Dublin Block Tells the Story of the City". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 21 June 2023.