Derelict site owners face council levy

OWNERS of derelict sites in Kerry who fail to maintain them will have to pay substantial levies, the county council has warned.

During the past two-and-a-half years, a special unit of the council has targeted Ballybunion, Castleisland, Dingle, Caherciveen, Killorglin, Kenmare and a number of smaller towns and villages.

Several towns and villages have eyesore buildings and waste ground, which are major obstacles to the efforts of Kerry County Council and tidy towns committees.

Council director of housing Philip O’Sullivan said they had worked with the site owners and there had been a good level of co-operation. Almost 470 notices had been issued and 209 sites improved as a result.

But, he warned there would be strong action taken in cases where there was no co-operation.

A levy on all remaining sites, amounting to 3% of the value of each site, will be imposed on January 1 next. The levy will remain payable as long as a site remains in a derelict state.

Mr O’Sullivan said €232,000 is outstanding in levies payable to the council and they would go to court, if necessary, to secure payment.

Replying to questions about levels of compliance, Mr O’Sullivan said there was a strong spirit of co-operation among site owners.

FF Cllr Ted Fitzgerald said many towns and villages continued to be blighted by derelict sites.

FG Cllr Bobby O’Connell said his own town of Castleisland had been transformed, following improvements to derelict sites.