Wicklow's Derelict Sites Become Cause Of Concern For Steven Matthews TD.

A recent report on the number of registered derelict properties and sites in Wicklow has been produced.

A recent report on the number of registered derelict properties and sites in Wicklow produced by the Department of Housing has raised questions, according to Wicklow TD Steven Matthews. The report indicated that the derelict sites registered for Wicklow (as per the most recent figures) has 23 vacant buildings and 3 derelict sites registered in the whole county. The sites include The Bayview Hotel in Wicklow Town, the Corner of Church Hill and Weaver’s Square in Baltinglass, and No. 4 Royal Marine Park in Bray. TD Matthews had this to say about the situation: "We are in the middle of a housing crisis and of course, there needs to be a focus on building and new units, but the quickest, cheapest and most environmentally sustainable way of increasing housing supply is by returning vacant and derelict units to the housing stock. We must use every means we can to increase housing supply – there’s no one solution but a range of measures that together will alleviate the problem. The recent funding increase announced by the Department of Housing that increases the funding for a Vacant Homes Officer for all Local Authorities is very welcome but the requirement for councils to employ someone in that specific role is vital. These roles will be integral in highlighting sites and properties and ensuring the necessary actions are carried out to try to bring these sites back to use." The Derelict Sites Register is published every year on Wicklow County Council’s website. The Register remains in place for a year and changes to the Register during that period are recorded and available to view.