Boarded up houses and businesses within our towns and villages is affecting the economic development of North Cork according to the Chairman of the Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District Chairman, Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea (Ind).
Cllr. O’ Shea asked council executives for a report on derelict sites at a recent meeting of the Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District Municipal District which outlined there was currently 26 properties currently on the derelict sites register within the District.
Cllr. O’ Shea said “It is clear to everyone that in recent years we have an explosion on the number of derelict sites within our towns and villages. This is mainly due to the downturn in our economy and many older building becoming derelict but we cannot let this issue continue. Any derelict site visible in our towns and villages gives out a very negative impact on that town or village and we as a local authority must liaise with the owners of these buildings in order to bring them back to a standard where they are presentable to the people of the area and the many people who choose to visit and holiday in North Cork every year. We, as a local authority have certain powers to enforce owners of these derelict sites to engage with the local authority so we can collectively improve these buildings for the benefit of all. My motion, which was unanimously supported by all members of the Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District asked for improved and concerted efforts by council staff to deal with this growing problem and I hope this will materalise in the coming months”.
The current list of derelict sites in the Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District are as follows:
- Boherbue – 2 sites
- Buttevant – 5 sites
- Churchtown – 2 sites
- Cecilstown – 3 sites
- Kanturk – 4 sites
- Lisgriffin – 1 site
- Mallow – 2 sites
- Milford – 1 site
- Millstreet – 4 sites
- Tullylease – 2 sites
Cllr. O’ Shea added”There are many more sites within our towns and villages that have been reported to Cork County Council as derelict and Cork County Council is currently going through the process of dealing with owners of the sites. I would think we have the same number again (26 registered as derelict and another 26 being reported on presently) at least and this is an awful scourge on our lovely villages and towns. We need to ask owners of these derelict sites to come on board with Cork County Council and work with us in improving these sites for not only the visible aspect but for the future economic development and growth of our towns and villages across North Cork”.
Derelict buildings like these have a negative visual impact on our towns and villages and is affecting the economic development of the North Cork region
