One Mayo municipal district has 150 derelict sites

THERE are 150 derelict sites in the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District.

A recent review identified 57 new sites, which will be added to the register, bringing the number up from 93 to 150.

Three Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) of derelict buildings are being progressed in the district - two in Ballinrobe and one in Claremorris.

Senior engineer Conrad Harley told councillors at a district meeting that some of the sites 'aren't pretty'.

Forty-one have been deemed 'very poor' while 35 properties require just minor works. Most are situated in prominent locations in towns.

The council is looking to work with owners to bring buildings back into use, or proceed through CPO to develop housing or by working with an approved housing body.

Ballinrobe Councillor Michael Burke said he wanted to see the sites in the town dealt with and he requested that the issue of dereliction be on their agenda at every monthly meeting.

His colleague Councillor Damien Ryan agreed the CPO process is frustratingly slow and the system needs to be streamlined.

We have a housing crisis in this country and there are opportunities and options out there, he said.

Issues with people getting planning to redevelop properties were raised by Councillor Richard Finn, who said obstacles are being put in people's way.

There are, said Councillor Gerry Murray, lots of housing which is turnkey ready but people are not renting out their properties. People were saying it wasn't viable for them to rent out, with tax, etc., and this needed a top down approach to resolve it.

If we are serious about getting people - individuals and families - back living in our towns the government needed to introduce tax incentives, Councillor Michael Smyth told the meeting.

The councillor also asked about the engagement levels with approved housing bodies in Mayo to deliver homes.