COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE
Monday, May 22, 2017
MOTION NO. 4
MOTION: Councillor D. Richardson
"We need to do something regarding derelict buildings in Cookstown Industrial Estate and empty industrial & retail units in the Tallaght area is a major concern. In Whitestown the Industrial Estate and Business Park that South Dublin Chamber run is currently full showing the need that people want to start businesses in the Tallaght area. That this Area Committee asks the Chief Executive to please report on what is happening as I have asked before about this and the Cookstown is getting worse."
REPORT:
"The Council's Business Support Fund has to date facilitated the following improvements in Cookstown Industrial Estate:
- road and pathway improvement works from the entrance at Belgard Road and along Old Begard Road;
- landscaping, fencing and other improvement works to Cookstown Park;
- refurbishment of two units to facilitate micro-enterprise development;
- engagement with businesses operating there to promote the Business Support Fund schemes with further potential applications being progressed;
A comprehensive assessment of Cookstown Industrial Estate and other industrial areas in the County currently underway comprising the following:
- desktop assessment of vacant units;
- visual inspection of units on the ground;
- referencing and land registry queries to determine actual ownership of units;
- engagement with owners of vacant units where possible to investigate reasons for vacancy;
- examination of possible incentives/enforcement required to accelerate return to use/refurbishment;
In addition, a request for tender is currently being prepared that will examine the optimum use of existing enterprise space in the County together with demand for additional enterprise space (including the potential to use existing areas such as Cookstown for provision).
The above actions and research will inform further proposals being brought to the Elected Members as part of the 2018 Annual Budget process to address the issue of industrial unit vacancies in the County."