Council serves Dereliction Notices on six properties in one village in Offaly

Offaly County Council has served Dereliction Notices on six empty properties in the village of Shinrone.

The Council's Regeneration Team issued the notices to the owners in October and a reply is required from the owners within a period of about two months. If the Regeneration Team doesn't receive a reply then the property will be placed on the Derelict Sites Register which means the owner will occur an annual tax. Eventually the Council might issue a Compulsory Purchase Order.

Speaking to The Midland Tribune, Cllr Peter Ormond welcomed the news. "There are too many derelict, unoccupied buildings in Shinrone, for too long. However the Council's Regeneration Team, which was set up a couple of years ago, is really getting to grips with the problem. 

"There are seven problematic, vacant buildings on the village's main street, including the former parish priest's house. They are all now being tackled by the Council."

The Councillor said the CPO route is no idle threat and it's likely the Council will proceed with it if the owners don't engage with the local authority.

"Most people in our village want to see more life in our village. These derelict buildings on Main Street have been a problem for years now. It's well past time for something to be done. The Council wants to see people living in these houses, and it wants to see that these houses are upgraded to a decent standard and will look well."

Cllr Ormond pointed out that there are very generous grants available for doing up derelict buildings under the Croí Cónaithe scheme. "People can receive as much as €70,000 under this scheme. It's a very significant incentive to take action."