Councillor’s joy at council’s decision to purchase derelict homes

A local councillor has expressed joy after the council confirmed they would buy two derelict homes in Palmerstown.

People Before Profit Councillor Madeleine Johansson said she is “delighted” that South Dublin County Council has begun the process to Compulsory Purchase the two derelict homes.

The information was released at this month’s Lucan/Palmerstown/North Clondalkin area committee meeting as part of a response to a motion submitted by Cllr Johansson.

The motion was calling on the council to Compulsory Purchase the two houses that have been vacant for almost a decade.

“I’m delighted that the council has decided to begin the Compulsory Purchase of two derelict properties in Palmerstown,” Councillor Madeleine Johansson said.

“It’s a disgrace that these houses have been left vacant for so long in the middle of a housing crisis.

“I hope that these houses will be refurbished and used to provide homes for families on the social housing waiting list.

“These houses are an eyesore in the area and attract illegal dumping and rats so the Compulsory Purchase is very welcome for the local community.”

Local People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny said:

“Fair play to Cllr Madeleine Johansson who put this motion forward, this is a great win for the community.

“There are 166,000 vacant properties in Ireland, with over 48,000 vacant for six years or more.

“We need to keep pressure on the government and make sure that as many of these properties as possible are taken back into public ownership and used to house the tens of thousands of people in this country who are homeless, languishing on the housing list and in unsafe and insecure accommodations.”

In their report the council said:

“In accordance with Section 3 of the Derelict Sites Act, l990 a derelict site is defined as:

“Any land which detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or appearance of land in the neighbourhood of the land in question because of –

(a) the existence on the land in question of structures which are in a ruinous, derelict or dangerous condition, or

(b) the neglected, unsightly or objectionable condition of the land or any structures on the land in question or,

(c) the presence, deposit or collection on the land in question of any litter, rubbish, debris or waste, except where the presence, deposit or collection of such litter, rubbish, debris or waste results from the exercise of a right conferred by statute or by common law.

The Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) process has already started for the first property in question. The second property was recently inspected and the CPO process will start for this property shortly also.”