Derelict Sites

Derelict Sites

Under the Derelict Sites Act, 1990 the local authority has an obligation to eliminate and/or prevent dereliction.  Under this legislation, property owners can be pursued and sanctions available include fines for non-compliance with statutory notices and levies on derelict properties.  Cork County Council can also acquire derelict sites by Compulsory Purchase Order procedures. 

Dangerous Structures

The Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1964 provides for local authorities to deal with dangerous structures.  A Notice can be served on owners of property deemed to be dangerous requiring that specific works to eliminate danger (a Section 3 notice) be carried out thereby rendering the property safe.  The provisions of the 1964 Act are similar to the later Derelict Sites Act and the following common elements are an example of this:

• both enable a prosecution to be brought against owners who do not comply with notices served
• both require a register to be maintained by the Local Authority
• both empower the Local Authority to carry out the necessary works itself and to charge the owners for the cost
• both empower compulsory purchase of land on which a dangerous structure was/is located

Further information is available from your local Cork County Council Divisional Head Office or on the following website:     www.citizensinformation.ie