COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

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MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 12, 2012

QUESTION NO. 14

QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney

To ask the Manager to report on the status of all sites included on the Derelict Sites Register within South Dublin over the past 12 months, including details as to the ownership, the date entered, the role of the Council in each case, details of any levies paid, details of any impending or previously-taken court cases (legal issues on information provision notwithstanding), and the Council's understanding as to future proposals for each site; to ask the Manager if it is Council policy to inform all Councillors of changes to the derelict sites register, including removal and addition; and to make a statement on the matter?

REPLY:

The Derelict Sites Register is a public document containing all details and particulars relating to the site. The register is held available for the information of any person that wishes to inspect same. It is not therefore policy to issue notification of changes other than to include them on the public register. The publication of the Register electronically through the Council's website/MembersNet will be investigated.

There are currently 2 sites listed on the Derelict Sites Register, details are as follows:

  1. Site of the former Greenhills Shopping Centre Arcade, St James Road, Walkinstown.  The owner of this site is McHugh Management Co. Ltd.  The date this site was entered on the register was 19/12/08.  Current levy outstanding is €60k.  This site is currently going through Legal Proceedings and a High Court hearing adjourned to 23/11/12.
  2. Site at the rear of 10 College Drive, Manor Avenue, Terenure.  The owner of this is William J.P. Egan.  The date this site was entered on the register was 31/05/10. Legal Proceedings are under review in this case.

The improvement of the physical environment where our communities live and in which business and the local economy operates is a critical element of the Council's objectives for the county. The removal of dereliction is a key part of what the Council can offer in terms of acheiveing that objective, particularly in promoting and supporting local business through our economic strategies. While dereliction has not presented the kind of widespread problem that it has in other counties, it is important that in the current economic climate such a problem is not allowed to develop. In that regard a review of dereliction within the county is currently underway and any action that is necessary or desirable arising therefrom will be pursued.

As would be expected, the Council takes a reasonable approach to cases by seeking to resolve the issues at any site through discussion and co-operation with landowners. This proves successful in the majority of cases. In the event that this proves unsuccessful, enforcement measures available through the Derlict Sites Act up to and including court action tend to effect the required response.The Environmental Licencing & Enforcement Section welcomes all reports of sites that require inspection. If the Members are aware of any such sites, they should be referred for investigation.