COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, January 22, 2018

MOTION NO. 10

MOTION: Councillor D. Richardson

"That this Committee calls on the Chief Executive to please give an update on Cookstown Industrial Estate vacant units, the units are in disrepair."

REPORT:

"Cookstown Industrial Estate has been the focus of significant attention from the Economic, Enterprise & Tourism Development Department in recent years with a number of initiatives aimed at improving the condition and investment potential of the area.

Under the Business Support Fund, two significant area improvement works schemes were undertaken with footpath, landscaping, kerbing, fencing and accessibility works carried out at Cookstown Enterprise Centre and at Old Belgard Road/Cookstown Road.

In addition, grants have been approved for the redevelopment of two units for occupancy by microenterprises in Cookstopwn along with several additional grants for external sigange and improvement works to individual units.  These supports remain available to owners/occupiers wishing to upgrade or redevelop units in the area.

The Council's has funded a significant study of the ownership, occupancy and condition of the various vacant sites in the County with particular emphasis on Cookstown.  During this process a meeting was held with site owners/occupiers from the 4th Avenue area to inform them of the Local Area Plan for Tallaght as well as the supports available for refurbishment/upgrade/improvements to individual units.  It was insighful to note that one of the points emerging from the meeting was the willingness of some owners to retain vacant units while waiting for potential rezoning or planning approvals in the area.  At this meeting the group were informed that a potential amendment to the vacancy refund could impact on this practice and subsequently, as part of the Council's 2018 Annual Budget process, a revised Rates Vacancy refund of 75% has been introduced to act as a disincentive in this regard.

Contact has been maintained with the owners' group in Cookstown through the Sustainable Business Programme and at its meeting in November 2017, the EETD Strategic Policy Committee recommended that a pilot project be progressed on Fourth Avenue to carry out public realm, road and footpath upgrade works in conjunction with owners/occupiers.  The Council is preparing to appoint consultants to produce a report on proposed upgrade works and costings for consideration."