Louth leads way for reusing empty buildings

Louth County Council is leading the way in reusing empty buildings for social housing and other local authorities should follow their example, Fr Peter McVerry has urged.

The anti-homelessness campaigner, who founded the Peter McVerry Trust, said Louth County Council had made 81 compulsory purchase orders over the last couple of years.

Just two cases were successfully challenged in courts by owners who claimed the action taken by the council was contrary to the right to private property.