Four sites gone from derelict sites register

There are three commercial and 15 residential properties on the derelict sites register in Westmeath, but four sites have been removed from the register since the start of the year, Cllr Mick Dollard was informed at the July meeting of the Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District.

In the official response to his request for an update on numbers, council officials stated that they are monitoring and enforcing instances of dereliction under the Derelict Sites Act, 1990, and that their actions are delivering positive outcomes, since the removal of four sites from the register came on foot of their renovation.

That, the response said, demonstrated the effectiveness of engagement with property owners and the use of the statutory powers under the act.

The response stated that to date, the council have issued seven Notices of Intention to enter properties on the Derelict Sites Register, together with nine initial warning letters to property owners where concerns regarding dereliction have been identified.

“The District remains committed to utilising the powers available under the Derelict Sites Act, 1990 to address dereliction, encourage the regeneration and reuse of vacant and underutilised properties and improve the appearance and vitality of towns and villages throughout the District,” the response concluded.