I call on Leitrim County Council to brief
members on their current policy in relation to derelict buildings
in the County, whether there is a register in place and if the
current legislation is adequately dealing with the challenges this
local authority (and others)have in dealing with the problem of
dereliction in Co Leitrim.
Minutes:
To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Enda McGloin;
"I call on Leitrim County Council to brief members on their current policy in relation to derelict buildings in the County, whether there is a register in place and if the current legislation is adequately dealing with the challenges this local authority (and others)have in dealing with the problem of dereliction in Co Leitrim."
Report by Capital Projects Office
"Properties that are formally declared as being derelict are recorded in the Derelict Sites Register, which is maintained by the Council in accordance with the requirements of the Derelict Sites Act, 1990. The Council considers that the current legislative framework for addressing derelict sites could be strengthened and notes the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Governments’ intention to engage with local authorities in a proactive way to ensure effectiveness of the legislation. The DoHPLG also intends to carry out a review of the Act. These measures are in addition to the Vacant Sites Register and the proposed new vacant property tax, consideration of which is being pursued by the Department of Finance, and which provide alternative options to resolving such properties.
The obligation to ensure that a property is not derelict rests with the Owner of the property. Where the Council becomes aware of a potentially derelict property, it is required to investigate same so as to determine whether the property is considered ‘derelict’ within the meaning of the Act. Should the property be determined to be derelict, the Council may issue a notice on the Owner requiring them to undertake specified actions to prevent the property from becoming, or continuing to be, derelict. A failure to comply with the requirements of a notice constitutes an offence and may be prosecuted in a court of appropriate jurisdiction, and may be subject to penalties including fines, a term in jail, or both.
The Council, when issuing a Derelict Sites notice, will also advise that failure to comply with the notice may result in the property being entered in the Derelict Sites Register. The inclusion of a property in the Register may render it liable to a yearly financial levy should the property be located within an urban area. In Leitrim, the towns of Ballinamore, Carrick on Shannon, Dromahaire, Drumshanbo, Kinlough, Manorhamilton and Mohill are designated as urban areas. Properties recorded as derelict sites may be acquired by the Council – by agreement with the Owner or through use of a Compulsory Purchase Order."
Councillor Enda McGloin welcomed the reply received and acknowledged the challenges in dealing with dereliction. He asked how many buildings are on the Derelict Sites Register. Councillor Enda McGloin said it is important that a submission is made to the Department to enable Local Authorities to provide alternative options to resolving such properties.
Mr Bernard Greene, Senior Planner confirmed there are 37 derelict sites on the register. Updating of the Derelict Sites Register is included on the Planning Department work programme for this year.
Councillor Enda McGloin welcomed the reply.