'It is not acceptable': Cork City Council criticised for leaving derelict buildings empty for years
The city council was also criticised for acquiring some buildings several years ago and doing nothing with them, while officials confirmed they were engaging with the owners of several prominent and vacant retail sites with a view to securing redevelopment.
The issues were debated after Cllr Niamh O'Connor asked for an update on the buildings at 62 to 65 North Main Street, which were declared derelict in 2015, and suffered a partial collapse in 2019, forcing the city to step in and stabilise them, before it acquired them by compulsory purchase order (CPO) in 2022.
Legal complications linked to maps and title arose later, delaying the post-CPO process.
Ms O'Connor was told the council was now progressing 'viability assessments' of several options to redevelop the properties.
'On conclusion of the viability assessment process, it is envisaged a formal development proposal will be advanced for planning permission and ultimately commencement of redevelopment,' she was told.
She welcomed the update but asked for a timeline.
Niall O'Donnabháin, the council's director of services for planning and integrated development, said: 'It needs to move forward quickly.'
Fine Gael councillor Des Cahill criticised the council for acquiring certain buildings and doing nothing with them.
He said he knew of one house in his ward which was bought by the council 12 months ago, and remained unused.
'Another one, seven years, bought and paid for, but unused,' he said.
'On one hand, we have a council being praised, and fair enough, praise when praise is due, but on another hand we have a ream of properties we do nothing to for years.
It is not acceptable to have properties bought by the council and left empty. It's appalling.
Council chief executive Valerie O'Sullivan said she shared Mr Cahill's frustration about properties acquired in the past and not returned to use, and she said her new management team had been tasked with getting to grips with this issue, to identify a use for them, and many could come before council soon for statutory disposal.
Separately, Labour councillor John Maher asked for an update on several vacant retail sites, including the former Roches Stores, Debenhams building, the Savoy shopping centre, the old Argos building and North Main Street shopping centre.
Officials said they were inspected periodically, continuously monitored and subject to active engagement with the property owners to encourage and support the return to use of properties.
Mr Maher was also told the old Grand Parade Hotel is owned by the council and forms part of the block which incorporates the city library.
'Plans are being developed to consider development options for this important city centre block in the context of the council's wider ambitions for the regeneration of the area,' officials said.
Mr Maher was also told the site at 4-5 Father Matthew Quay was subject of ongoing engagement between the council and the property owner, which could see it returned to use as a commercial premises in the short term, while the council was also engaging with the owners of the former Maher's Sport premises at 7-8 Parnell Place to help realise its redevelopment as quickly as possible.
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