43 Belfast Road, Milecross, Newtownards, Co Down, BT23 4TR

A former gate lodge of circa 1855, set at the end of a lane to the north of Belfast Road, about one mile northwest of Newtownards. The building originally served Milecross Cottage and was probably built by George Dickson, a member of the prominent local horticultural family. The house has been greatly extended and renovated in recent times, with substantial alterations that have transformed its character.

The original structure is a small, formal single storey house with a south-facing front facade. The facade features a central full height projecting gabled bay with decorative shaped barges and a finial. The bay contains a panelled and glazed front door with a plain fanlight, above which is a decorative moulded plaque bearing the initials G D (for George Dickson). To either side of the bay is a window, now with PVC frames. The front facade is finished in lined render with quoins. Attached to each end of the front facade is a low rendered wall with sturdy corner pillars, enclosing a small front garden.

The front of the pitched roof now has two recently installed gabled dormers with PVC windows, decorative shaped barges and finials. A Velux window is positioned to the rear of the roof. The west gable is blank, whilst the east gable has a ground floor window with a PVC frame. Both gables are finished in lined render. The roof of the original section is covered with Bangor blue slates and features an overhang with decorative shaped barges. Two rendered chimney stacks are present.

The rear and character of the house have been substantially altered by a large full height, two-level gabled return extension added in 1994. This extension is larger than the original building and features various PVC windows of different sizes and patio doors to the rear. The extension facade is finished in lined render, with a roof covered in asbestos-free slates featuring overhang with decorative shaped barges. Velux windows light the roof space. A small lean-to projection is attached to the east facade of the extension.

The house retains historical significance as the former gate lodge to Milecross Cottage, which was itself rebuilt in the early 1900s as an unusual and striking Edwardian residence. A descendant of George Dickson now resides in this former lodge.