Potential for development at 26 vacant/derelict Clare sites

CLARE County Council has identified 26 sites with development potential in the Killaloe Municipal District (KMD) following a review of vacant properties and derelict locations.

A house at No. 4 An Garrán, Mountshannon is one of the first notices for the proposed compulsory acquisition of derelict sites by the council.

The other properties, outside Killaloe MD, are House No. 3 St Senan’s Terrace, Kilrush, a house at Cloughleigh Road, Ennis, and a house at 111 Dun na hInse, Claureen, Ennis.

The Vacant Homes Team of the council is currently assessing vacant properties using data from the Geo Directory.

In co-ordination with the four Municipal Districts, a targeted focus on a number of towns and village centres across the county has commenced.

Councillor Pat Hayes requested an update on the present situation regarding vacant and derelict properties in towns and villages in the KMD at a recent meeting.

The Fianna Fáil Councillor welcomed the council’s recent drive to address dereliction and vacant properties as an urgent issue, with a major increase in resources.

The Maghera councillor called on national politicians to streamline the whole Compulsory Purchase Order process to substantially reduce the statutory time it takes for local authorities to complete it; particularly for property owners who refuse to engage with the local authority.

He said there isn’t much point in securing rural development funding to revitalise towns and villages if derelict buildings remain in the centre of them.

Councillor Alan O’Callaghan said it is important for the council to follow up with property owners to make sure they carry out promised refurbishment works.

Municipal district chairman, Joe Cooney, praised the Trojan work being conducted by the council to bring derelict and vacant properties back into use.

Director of services, Anne Haugh outlined the authority has rolled out a combined approach involving the Vacant Homes Office in the Housing Department and Derelict Sites Office in the Planning Department.

In addition to inspections conducted by the vacant homes officer, staff in the derelict sites office also complete their own inquiries into derelict sites.

“There is a very focused effort on a cross directorate level. I chair meetings on a monthly basis and we report progress in the council’s monthly management report.”

She said there is a national scheme, which will address dereliction in towns and villages. There is also a review of the CPO process and a direction to place property that are compulsorily purchased available on the open market.

Ms Haugh acknowledged the challenges associated with establishing ownership, title issues, communicating with banks regarding properties in receivership, and costs associated with bringing houses back to use continue to prevail.

However, the Vacant Homes Team are active in engaging with owners and pursuing all options to enable vacant and under-utilised properties to be returned to use as quickly as possible.

The council await details of the Croi Conaithe (Towns) Scheme, which aims to regenerate vacant property in town centres and a targeted CPO initiative which will enable local authorities to acquire vacant properties with the objective of returning them to the market.

It is envisaged the council will become significantly more active in the CPO process where engagement with property owners is not yielding the desired outcomes in tackling vacancy and dereliction.

The Derelict Sites team will continue to work with the Vacant Homes officer and elected members to advance work under the Derelict Sites’ Act, 1990.

It is intended to hold workshops with the elected members of each Municipal District on subject of derelict sites before this summer.

Sixteen properties were initially examined in Tulla after 12 needed further investigation.

Five owners are to carry out refurbishment works themselves. Three owners have not engaged. Building Control has carried out works at one property to deem it safe. Two have been referred to Derelict sites for follow-up.

One property is still being investigated to establish ownership. One property owner has been engaging with the council with a view to placing the property on the open market.

The Vacant Homes Section has provided owners with information on the options available to them to bring their properties back into use and will continue to monitor progress.

Eleven properties were initially examined in Killaloe through a site inspection after which six required further examination.

One is to be dealt with through CPO; one is deemed unviable due to title and legal issues; one is to be placed on the open market; one is still being pursued to establish ownership; one owner is to carry out works to the property and there is ongoing communication with one owner and bank for another property.

The Vacant Homes Section continues to liaise and support owners and banks in an attempt to deal with the vacancies.

Four properties were initially examined by way of a site inspection in O’Briensbridge.

One was referred to the Derelict Sites Team, one was sold on open market, one is now occupied and a letter was sent to the owner.

Eight properties were initially examined in Broadford after which four were identified to be further examined.

Two were referred to Derelict Sites Section, one was subsequently sold and the owner of the other property has now committed to carrying out refurbishing works.

There is ongoing engagement with the owner of one property and another one has been rented privately.

The lack of sewerage upgrade in Broadford is an issue in progressing with the redevelopment of some vacant properties at this location.

Three properties were initially examined in Quin by way of a site inspection.

One property was referred to Derelict Sites for follow-up, one is occupied and one is still being pursued to establish new owner.

Twelve properties were identified in Scariff and further examination of these properties has commenced to establish ownership and future plans for the vacant buildings.

Carmel Greene, Senior Executive Officer, Economic Development outlined the Economic Directorate outlined considerable progress has been made following a review and inspection of derelict sites and existing files on these sites.

A number of these properties were brought to the market in February, some are at the planning stage, demolition stage or with plans for refurbishment.

Eight files were opened this year compared to 35 in total last year. Nine notices of intention to enter a site in the derelict sites register were issued this year after 20 were issued last year.