Council seek OK to buy derelict units in Limerick
AN IMPOSING former corn mill in the heart of Limerick is one of eight city sites the council is seeking to acquire.
The local authority has sought permission from An Bord Pleanala to buy 23 derelict sites across the city and county under compulsory purchase legislation.
The hope is by doing this, these buildings – often considered eyesores in the community – can be brought back into use.
The six-storey former warehouse in Robert Street near the Milk Market was built around 1800.
Following its industrial use, it was used as a home for the Limerick Printmakers, but since this group relocated, it has lain idle.
Meanwhile, council is also seeking permission to purchase a vacant site in Windmill Street, where planning permission is already in place for a number of apartments.
A site at Smith’s Lane is also being sought for purchase, as are units in Kileely and Ballysimon Road.
Council is also seeking to buy two neighbouring properties in Parnell Street which lie idle, as well as two units in a student village at Old Cratloe Road.
In the past, when the council has acquired derelict properties and sites, it has on most occasions sold them back on the private market.
Any sale - which has to be approved by council members - is on the condition that the buyer brings a property up to a usable standard once again. The income generated from these sales goes to provide compensation to the original owners of a property.
Director of service Gordon Daly said last month: “At a time of housing shortage, the activation of derelict and vacant property is a high priority for Limerick City and County Council. There are now a range of government funded grant schemes and supports available to existing and new owners to help refurbish these properties. The Council will continue to use its powers to compulsorily acquire property if owners do not take steps to address dereliction and bring their property back into use.”
Council staff are now conducting over 100 property inspections per month and currently has 411 properties on its Derelict Sites Register.