Leixlip Main Street. File photo
The owners of vacant and derelict properties in Leixlip, Co Kildare have offered commitments that improvement works will take place on a number of the properties over the coming months.
That's according to Kildare County Council, which was responding to a question put forward by Cllr Paul Brooks (FG) at the April Celbridge Leixlip Municipal District meeting.
Cllr Brooks' question asked: “Can the council provide details on progress being made to tackle dereliction and occupancy of units in Leixlip Village?”
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Brooks said the matter was an ongoing issue in Leixlip, with even more units lost on Captain's Hill recently.
He knew, he said, that the council's Town Regeneration Team were “working hard” on the problem, and he welcomed the council's report.
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In reference to the council report, which stated that “commitments have been given that improvement works will take place on a number of the properties over the coming months”, he asked was this a verbal or written agreement.
Rather than simply a verbal agreement, Cllr Brooks said he was looking for something “solid” and in writing.
A council official reiterated what was stated in the report, which noted: “The Town Regeneration Team is in regular communication with the owners of vacant and derelict properties in Leixlip. Commitments have been given that improvement works will take place on a number of the properties over the coming months. The team will continue to monitor progress and will be distributing details of the new Vacant Above the Shop Grant to property owners over the coming weeks.”
Thanking the official, Cllr Brooks asked if there was “a standard that has to be worked to in terms of our towns and villages?”, and asked if there were regulations determining the standard of works undertaken.
The council official stated that she could not answer the questions, but that she would take the questions back to the Town Regeneration Team and ask them to give Cllr Brooks a call.
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