A TOTAL of 165 sites are being processed by Clare County Council, under the Derelict Sites Act, with 35 of these on the register of derelict properties.
The figures were given to Councillor Paul Murphy, who tabled at motion at the December meeting of the local authority. The Fine Gael member sought an outline of the number of sites in each Municipal District, as well as an update on those being pursued under the Derelict Sites Levy, and the monies recouped to-date.
In a written response, Carmel Greene, Senior Executive Officer (SEO), outlined how there has been an increase in activity since the derelict sites function was transferred to the Economic Development directorate in 2020.
“Derelict sites that we are dealing with are at various stages from inspection, establishment of owners, discussions with owners, dealing with financial institutions regarding debt, sales being organised or proposals being developed for planning applications,” she stated.
“Our priority is to try to work with owners and where there is no engagement, the statutory processes will be followed.”
Of the 35 properties on the Derelict Sites register, ten are in the Ennis district; two in Killaloe; three in Shannon and 20 in West Clare. Ms Green outlined that she is in the process of commencing the Compulsory Acquisition process on two sites; while one is in an arbitration process, dating back to 2014.
“Proposals are also being developed for the imposition of the Derelict sites levy on sites on the Derelict Sites Register and this will be brought forward for decision in January 2022,” Ms Green said.
“I am also engaging with the Department to see if a review of the legislation should be carried out as it is now over 30 years also.”
Councillor Murphy welcomed the increase in activity to address the problem. “I acknowledge that it is a very complex issue and might not be as straightforward as it seems to deem a site to be reluctant to go after it,” he said.
“It is a really painstaking process and a costly process as well… I welcome to the imposition of the derelict sites, levy on some sites that are on the register. There are some eyesores around the county and I think that we should pursue those, particularly the ones where you might have a developer sitting on something, but with nothing for a community or a village or town.”