Latest news with #CompulsoryPurchaseOrder
RTÉ News
05-08-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
131 derelict buildings recorded in Dublin city
The number of derelict buildings in Dublin city has increased by almost 80% in the last four years. Dublin City Council's Derelict Sites Register, which tracks properties in the capital that have fallen into a dilapidated state, shows a jump from 74 at the end of January 2021, to 131 in July of this year. However, the local authority has now taken ownership of Neary's Bar and Hotel on Parnell Street, a building that has been derelict for so long one elderly inner-city resident says he barely remembers it as a functioning business. "I only vaguely remember it to be honest, I couldn't tell you much about," he said. "I'm in my 70s, and from the inner city, and I would remember it more the way it is now, than when it was a workplace. I notice dereliction a lot in the city. I walk around a lot, and I see it everywhere." Asked what he would like to see the property repurposed as, he said: "We need to turn it into flats for people to live in. Not another hotel, Ireland has enough of those. Accommodation is what we need most for sure." Dublin City Council has said that there are currently 131 properties on its derelict sites register and it currently has no plans to acquire any more. However, co-founder of the Derelict Ireland movement, Dr Frank O'Connor, has said that the number does not reflect the reality of dereliction in the capital. "You'll find there's a huge inconsistency across the country in terms of how local authorities tackle dereliction," he said. "From our work across the country, we generally find that the recorded numbers of derelict properties are far lower than the actual number, and from the data we have collected, Dublin is no different. "We see so much dereliction in Dublin, and it has a huge impact on the community. They lose out on the potential that property could offer to the area. I don' think there has been the cultural or political will to tackle the issue for the last number of decades, but that is starting to change. If you chat to people on the street now, they want change." Change may be made possible through a new statutory instrument called a Special Purpose Vehicle. Green Party Councillor for Dublin' North Inner City, Janet Horner, explains how it can be employed to combat dereliction in Dublin. "The Special Purpose Vehicle is proposed as part of the Taoiseach's Task Force recommendations, but it really comes from Dublin City Council as an idea. "Essentially, it provides for the creation of a development company, wholly owned by the city council," she said. "Because it's a development company, it's allowed to do things a little bit differently than the city council would be empowered to do. For example, it would to be able to acquire properties outside of the Compulsory Purchase Order process. "It enables the council to take risks in relation to derelict properties in a way that it otherwise wouldn't." "If you look around the wider O'Connell Street area, along Abbey Street, Parnell Street and Marlborough Street, there are significant derelict and vacant sites there and that is a prime place where the city council needs to be intervening and actually acquiring those properties." Dublin City Council has said that almost €9.9 million in fines for dereliction are outstanding in 2025, and Cllr Hornet said that is something that needs immediate attention. "It isn't easy to chase these things and pursue them to the courts, but it is really necessary," she said. "We have to be using that power to the maximum the potential of the city. Dublin needs to be alive and derelict sites are antisocial to the city."
Agriland
31-07-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Cllr Raises Concerns Over Land Ownership on North West Greenway
Independent councillor for Manorhamilton, Eddie Mitchell has raised concerns about farmers' land ownership in the Sligo, Leitrim, Northern Counties Railway (SLNCR) greenway project. This project is to provide a greenway from Sligo town to Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, passing through Collooney, Ballintogher, Dromahair, Manorhamilton, Glenfarne, Blacklion, Belcoo, and Letterbreen on the way, and is currently at phase two of completion. Cllr Mitchell told Agriland that he has been approached by farm families, who have raised concerns about land ownership on the proposed route. He said: "The old greenway was privately owned, in the past, and it was abandoned. That land ended up being taken over by the farmers, who were farming around it. "There is going to be a sustainability payment made to farmers, and eventually the land will be CPO'd (Compulsory Purchase Order). If you don't own the land, you can't be given a sustainability payment, and you can't be given compensation." "So even though there is no dispute over land ownership, if the land isn't registered in your name, you could miss out on these payments," Mitchell explained. At the July meeting of the Muncipal District Meeting for Manorhamilton, Mitchell asked the council to acknowledge the "significant" number of landowners along the SLNCR greenway route who have farmed land for decades that is not formally registered in their name. He also asked for the council to provide "clear public guidance" to landowners on how to address unregistered land, including processes such as first registration and claims under adverse possession. In response, the council replied: "The SLNCR project is working to the code of best practice 'National and Regional Greenways' December 2021, as agreed with all stakeholders including the Department of Transport, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), local authorities and the various farming associations. "The code provides for a greenway sustainability payment (GSP) payable in two parts. The first part being an early sign on payment made once the voluntary land acquisition agreements (VLAA) is signed up by landowners." "The landowner's solicitors will be paid, on signing of the VLAA, an advance solicitors professional fee of €750 + VAT once proof of title is validated, with the balance being paid on completion," the council added. The council also acknowledged that landowners are being requested to engage in the progression of a national or regional greenway project at a much earlier timeframe than under the normal statutory regime, and potentially entering commitments as part of the process. It said that the second part of the greenway sustainability payment is a cooperation payment made on completion of the scheme. The GSP payments are payable over and above the negotiated land acquisition land acquisition / compensation payment that may be agreed. According to the council, each case will be assessed and negotiated on its own merits and no two cases are exactly the same. The council said: "The issue was raised regards 'unregistered' land with our legal team and TII have clarified that it is a matter for each landowner to get title in their names from land registry / Tailte Eireann through their own solicitor. "TII (has) confirmed that any associated costs with getting clean title for 'unregistered lands' is a matter for the landowner and this must be in place to avail of the early sign on payment as per the agreed greenway code of practice." "It is recommended that landowners engage with their solicitors at an early stage with a view to submitting a land registry application if required," it added.
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council seeks ideas for 'architectural treasure'
Glasgow City Council is seeking development ideas for a crumbling "architectural treasure" in the city centre which has sat vacant for more than 30 years. The category A-listed Egyptian Halls, designed by visionary Scottish architect Alexander "Greek" Thomson 150 years ago, has been on the buildings at risk register since 1990. After a number of planning applications fell through, the council began in February to investigate the possibility of using a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), which would allow it to acquire the property without the owner's consent. The building's upper floors are privately owned by Dundee businessman Derek Soutar through two companies who have appealed against the CPO. The building on the city's Union Street, close to Glasgow Central Station, was listed for sale by agent Ryden. It described it as a "hallmark" of Thomson's style. It was built in 1872 as a commercial premises for an iron manufacturer. However it has long been derelict in the upper floors, with the ground floor partly occupied by storefronts. Scaffolding has been in place for 15 years, which the council previously said "is not being used to facilitate repairs, conversion or maintenance or serving any structural need, and is causing environmental, social and economic blight". In March, Glasgow City Council issued a defective building notice which requires the owner of a building to bring it back into a reasonable state of repair. A CPO would legally allow the council to acquire the property for its own use or to facilitate development by another party. A council committee has approved an investigation period for its use. During this time, interested parties, including the private owners, can put forward proposals for the "repair, repurposing and future active reuse of the property", according to the listing. If a proposal meets the development brief, a successful CPO would transfer ownership. A closing date for proposals has been set for 17 October. The current owners would also have the option to sell until then. Due to the private ownership, viewings of the 51,529 sq ft space are not possible. Mr Soutar - who owns the building through his companies Union Street Properties Ltd and Union Street Investments Ltd - said the CPO would "wipe out 27 years of private sector investment". He added that he seeks to find a "mutually reconcilable position" and is working on a pre-application for development. The council said: "No applications for planning permission for reuse have been submitted by the current owners since 2012, and two recent engineering reports state that the continued decline in the overall building fabric has arisen through a prolonged lack of occupation and ongoing maintenance." Ruairi Kelly, the council's housing and development convenor, described the property as "an architectural treasure of national significance". "In gauging the market interest we'll know what the opportunities for the future of this architectural gem can be," Cllr Kelly said. He added: "Right now, the transformation of our city centre is gathering real pace. "Giving the city's built heritage new purposes and new futures is part of that and I've no doubt the Egyptian Halls can be a centrepiece in the Glasgow of the 21st century." More on this story Council could force sale of historic building Glasgow building among Europe's most at risk
BBC News
29-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Egyptian Halls listed for sale as council seeks development plans
Glasgow City Council is seeking development ideas for a crumbling "architectural treasure" in the city centre which has sat vacant for more than 30 category A-listed Egyptian Halls, designed by visionary Scottish architect Alexander "Greek" Thomson 150 years ago, has been on the buildings at risk register since a number of planning applications fell through, the council began in February to investigate the possibility of using a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), which would allow it to acquire the property without the owner's building's upper floors are privately owned by Dundee businessman Derek Soutar through two companies who have appealed against the CPO. The building on the city's Union Street, close to Glasgow Central Station, was listed for sale by agent described it as a "hallmark" of Thomson's was built in 1872 as a commercial premises for an iron it has long been derelict in the upper floors, with the ground floor partly occupied by has been in place for 15 years, which the council previously said "is not being used to facilitate repairs, conversion or maintenance or serving any structural need, and is causing environmental, social and economic blight". In March, Glasgow City Council issued a defective building notice which requires the owner of a building to bring it back into a reasonable state of repair.A CPO would legally allow the council to acquire the property for its own use or to facilitate development by another party.A council committee has approved an investigation period for its this time, interested parties, including the private owners, can put forward proposals for the "repair, repurposing and future active reuse of the property", according to the a proposal meets the development brief, a successful CPO would transfer ownership. A closing date for proposals has been set for 17 October. The current owners would also have the option to sell until then. Due to the private ownership, viewings of the 51,529 sq ft space are not Soutar - who owns the building through his companies Union Street Properties Ltd and Union Street Investments Ltd - said the CPO would "wipe out 27 years of private sector investment".He added that he seeks to find a "mutually reconcilable position" and is working on a pre-application for council said: "No applications for planning permission for reuse have been submitted by the current owners since 2012, and two recent engineering reports state that the continued decline in the overall building fabric has arisen through a prolonged lack of occupation and ongoing maintenance."Ruairi Kelly, the council's housing and development convenor, described the property as "an architectural treasure of national significance". "In gauging the market interest we'll know what the opportunities for the future of this architectural gem can be," Cllr Kelly added: "Right now, the transformation of our city centre is gathering real pace. "Giving the city's built heritage new purposes and new futures is part of that and I've no doubt the Egyptian Halls can be a centrepiece in the Glasgow of the 21st century."
Glasgow Times
26-07-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow city centre 'architectural masterpiece' up for sale
The A-listed Egyptian Halls building, designed by renowned architect Alexander 'Greek' Thomson, has been empty and derelict for decades but the council is looking at using a Compulsory Purchase Order to take it over. As part of the process, the council is looking for a developer to come forward with a proposal to bring it back into meaningful use. READ NEXT: Out of school care centre warned it doesn't meet legal standards Applications are invited with a deadline of October 17. The brochure by Ryden, under instruction from the council, describes the six-storey Union Street building as 'a unique architectural and historic asset' with the council prioritising its 'repair, repurposing, and future active reuse'. In February this year, the council agreed to look at CPO powers to take it over after decades of inaction from the current owner. Its intricate and distinctive stonework is currently hidden behind scaffolding. The building was built between 1870 and 1872, a 'hallmark' of Thomson's distinctive Greek Revival style. The brochure states: 'It remains internationally recognised as a masterpiece of Victorian architecture.' Last month, it was decided an incentive of £150,000 will be on offer to the developer chosen to revamp the historic landmark. READ NEXT:Work on West End street to start next month and last two years The building is currently owned by two companies — Union Street Developments and Union Street Properties — both run by Dundee businessman Derek Souter and his partners. They will also be invited to submit proposals to the council and are able to sell the property voluntarily at any point until the CPO is secured. Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Convener for Built Heritage, Housing and Development at Glasgow City Council, said: 'This is a key milestone in our efforts to return the Egyptian Halls to full life and restore their rightful place as an architectural treasure of national significance. 'Securing a commercial operator to take on the repair and reuse of the Halls is a core part of the CPO process which began earlier this year. In gauging the market interest we'll know what the opportunities for the future of this architectural gem can be. 'Right now, the transformation of our city centre is gathering real pace. Giving the city's built heritage new purposes and new futures is part of that and I've no doubt the Egyptian Halls can be a centrepiece in the Glasgow of the 21st century.'
