59 properties on Cork County Council’s Derelict Site Register

THERE are 59 properties on Cork County Council’s Derelict Sites Register at present, the local authority has confirmed to The Echo.

The response follows a report in this newspaper last week in which it was disclosed that the council had collected €3,300 in derelict site levies during 2022.

The copy of the Derelict Site Register provided by the council to The Echo lists four properties in the Bandon municipal district, seven in Carrigaline, 11 in Cobh, one in East Cork, 14 in Fermoy, 15 in Kanturk/Mallow, and seven in Macroom. The register does not include any properties in West Cork, although an earlier statement from the council said that derelict site issues were “under review” in that municipality.

According to 1990 legislation, an annual levy of 7% of the value of a property is payable to the relevant local authority by the owner of properties deemed to be derelict. The difference between a derelict property and a vacant property is that a derelict property would be deemed to detract from the appearance of the locality as it would be disused.

Cork County Council said that the derelict sites process was “quite complex and labour-intensive from an implementation perspective” and that there was “no guarantee that the levy would ultimately be collectable”.

“In many instances, it is at the point of sale of a property that the levy is discharged,” said a council spokesperson.

“Cork County Council’s experience of tackling dereliction is such that best results tend to be derived from working collaboratively with owners outside of the formal derelict sites legislative process in agreeing works that render sites non-derelict.

“While the council utilises an informal approach, it also proactively utilises the derelict sites legislation to positive effect.”