Action needed on Ballinrobe’s derelict buildings – Ryan

Action needed on Ballinrobe’s derelict buildings – Ryan


Ciara Galvin

MAYO County Council needs to enforce its powers in relation to derelict buildings in Ballinrobe. That is the view of Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council Damien Ryan.
The most recent list of derelict buildings drawn up by Mayo County Council contains a total of 15 derelict buildings in Ballinrobe. The 2013 list reveals that High Street has six, the largest number of derelict sites in the town.
Cllr Ryan told members of the Claremorris Municipal District that the register of derelict properties in the town needs to be updated.
The Fianna FΡil councillor also called for action to deal with the problem, which frustrates the efforts of the local Tidy Towns group and other voluntary groups working to enhance the town centre.
Speaking to The Mayo News, Cllr Ryan said that although the number of derelict building on the list had been reduced by five, Mayo County Council still needs to address the worst and most-prominent derelict buildings. On its website, Mayo County Council says it investigates derelictions and, following an inspection, a report is prepared detailing ownership, location, condition of site, extent of works required and recommendations.
The council states that it can also serve notices on the owners or occupiers of derelict sites, specifying measures to be taken to prevent land from becoming or continuing to be a derelict site.

Blatant disregard
Cllr Ryan said ‘perpetrators showing blatant disregard need to be dealt with’, suggesting that Compulsory Purchase Orders could be issued.
Peter Heaps of Ballinrobe Tidy Towns said derelict buildings now on the council’s list had been highlighted by the Tidy Towns committee as being derelict seven years ago.
“It doesn’t make our jobs easier for improving our points in the Tidy Towns competitions,” he said. “People’s work is being spoiled by owners that don’t care.”
Mr Heaps went on to say that the local Tidy Towns committee members had approached some of the owners of these derelict buildings, but that they had not received a positive response.
“I don’t think it’s right for people to abandon properties. Visitors come to the town and all they see is the bad stuff. Some owners live outside the town and don’t have to look at them,” Mr Heaps concluded.