Clare council to acquire 20 derelict properties in efforts to increase housing supply

Of the 20 properties identified for compulsory acquisition, 15 were previously residential in nature, while five were categorised as commercial. File picture

Clare County Council is set to acquire 20 derelict properties to help increase housing supply across the county.

The council has begun the compulsory acquisition of the properties in a bid to escalate efforts to combat dereliction.

The move is also part of a broader strategy aimed at accelerating housing delivery, which includes the creation of a specialised Housing Activation Unit within the council and the proposed amendment of the county development plan to designate more land for residential development.

Of the 20 properties identified for compulsory acquisition, 15 were previously residential in nature, while five were categorised as commercial.

The CPO notices have been served under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, which empowers the Council to take proactive measures to prevent land from becoming or remaining a derelict site.

According to a spokesperson, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant has been successful in Clare, with over €30m in grant aid approved, €15m of which has been paid out, while over 250 homes have been refurbished. The grant has recently been extended to include over the shop commercial properties.

Clare County Council director of service for Housing Alan Farrell said the use of the CPO process is a proportionate intervention where necessary.

“It enables Clare County Council to act in the public interest to address dereliction and bring housing back into use,” Mr Farrell added.

Clare County Council senior executive officer Carmel Greene, said: “The message to owners of derelict properties is clear: engagement and action are essential. The council offers a range of targeted and practical refurbishment supports, and owners of vacant or derelict properties can avail of these supports.

"We therefore encourage owners of derelict properties to engage with our staff as soon as possible to identify the best resolution for bringing these homes back into use.”

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