Derelict buildings a 'major concern' for communities

Frustration over the number of derelict sites around the county was clear as members of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad discussed the issue at their March meeting.

The charge was led by Cllr Denis Leonard, who had asked for an update on derelict buildings and sites in Kinnegad.

In its response, the district revealed that there are four properties in Kinnegad on the derelict sites register, which is available from the district office. “Levies are being charged to the registered owners of the derelict sites,” the response stating, adding that the Town Centre First Officer is working on establishing a Town Team to address issues in Kinnegad, including those of dereliction and vacancy, and capitalising on rural support schemes.

Cllr Leonard said his view was that more needs to be done to incentivise the owners of derelict sites to develop them, as opposed to the current “carrot and stick” approach.

He added that when he walked through Kinnegad with the council’s derelict site officer, they had counted 16 or 17 premises that are empty, some because they are going through probate, but others of which have lain empty for 30 years.

“So what is our plan for these sites, how can we put them back into use?” he asked.

Cllr David Jones agreed, and said Clonmellon was “on a par with Kilbeggan” in that it has 16 empty buildings.

“How many of these empty vacant buildings are actually on the derelict sites register?” he asked, stating that if any building on any main street in any town or village was unoccupied for a certain period of time, it should be added to the register.

“Communities need to be mindful: if you see a derelict building and it’s vacant for so long, report it, make sure it’s on the register; make sure that the levies are being charged,” he said, adding that in his view, the levies were too low and therefore not encouraging people to sell buildings on.

Cllr Niall Gaffney said: “I’m an advocate and supporter of the idea of trying to bring in life and regenerate and rejuvenate the buildings in the middle of our villages that aren’t being used.” He conceded there was a delicate balance to be struck when weighing private property rights with the interests of rejuvenating and generating activity on streets.

He suggested that more should be done to get out word about the incentives available.

Cllr Emily Wallace said the question of why people aren’t engaging with incentives to get those buildings back into use needs to be examined. She said small towns and villages need services and amenities and a vibrant town or village was the lifeblood of communities.

Director of services, Mary Goldsberry, said the levy imposed on owners of derelict properties is 7 per cent of the market value.

“In total we have 20 derelict sites on our register at the moment in the district and obviously the first objective, and the main objective, is to engage with the people who are owners of those sites and properties, talk to them and see if we can possibly put them back into use,” she stated, adding that since she had started in the district, two properties had come off the register.

Ms Goldsberry stated that where all forms of engagement have failed, the properties can be compulsorily acquired.

“That is an avenue for us to go but it’s a last resort,” she said, stating that the authority would prefer if owners would engage with them, and put properties back into use.