COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE-TERENURE AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

QUESTION NO. 10

QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney

"To ask the Chief Executive for immediate remedial action to be taken at the derelict former McHugh's site, given the poor visage resulting from the partial works undertaken over the summer. To ask the Manager to further liaise with the owner of the adjoining premises to remove graffiti impacting on the site, and to ensure the site is fully cleaned up and landscaped appropriately, and fully secured, as was stated in the Council's requirements regarding the Derelict Sites Register?"

REPLY:

The site of the former Greenhills Shopping Arcade at St. James's Road, Walkinstown was inspected on 13th January 2014 and found to be in a derelict condition. A statutory Notice, pursuant to Section 8(2) of the Derelict Sites Act 1990, giving notice of the Council’s intention to enter the particulars of the site on the Derelict Sites Register and allowing a period of time for the making of representations, was served on the owner of the site on 15th January 2014. A representative of the owner who contacted the Council on 27th January 2014 advising that it was intended to commence development of the site in accordance with the planning permission in the short-term was instructed to submit in writing to South Dublin County Council the plan and timeline for the site.

When the Council became aware that a Receiver had been appointed, a copy of the Section 8 (2) Notice was issued with a request that the Receiver outline plans for the site. The Receiver advised that it was intended to dispose of the site in the coming six months and requested that the Council refrain from entering the particulars of the site on the Derelict Sites Register. On 26th March 2014, the Council wrote again to the Receiver outlining the works which were required to remediate the site pending the sale of the site. The Receiver advised that quotations had been sought with the works expected to commence within four weeks. Unfortunately, due to a change in personnel in the office of the Receiver, the works were delayed.

Following sustained pressure by the Council, the hoarding was replaced with weld mesh fencing and a commitment to have the site cleared of all waste was secured. On 25th July 2014, the Council again contacted the Receiver advising that the site needed immediate attention with waste, weeds and graffiti to be removed. The Receiver gave a commitment to carry out these works urgently and to maintain the site in an acceptable standard. The site was recently placed on the market and it has been decided that the Council should refrain from entering the particulars of the site on the Derelict Sites Register for a period of time so as not to frustrate any potential sale, provided it is maintained in an acceptable condition. The Council will continue to monitor the site.

A full report on Derelict Sites will be presented at the October meeting.