The members of the Claremorris electoral area committee this week welcomed the news that more resources were being dedicated by Mayo County Council to the issue of derelict sites.
The members were given a presentation on the issue and the options open to the council to deal with problem sites. They were also informed that there were 17 sites in Claremorris and seven in Ballinrobe currently being investigated by the council.
Cllr Damien Ryan welcomed the presentation. “It’s welcome to see that there is progress being made, but I feel that the councillors should be involved in this,” he told the meeeting. “There is no one who knows better what sites are problems in their areas than the councillors from there.”
Cllr Michael Burke added: “We need to move this forward. I know there are more than seven sites in Ballinrobe that I would consider to be derelict. I know there are also a number of people who own properties that may be in a run down state, who can’t afford to pay to get them fixed up in one go. I would hope that some sort of discussions or agreement could be made with these people if possible.”
This view was backed by Cllr Richard Finn. “If people are making every genuine effort they can to comply and tidy up the properties, then I hope they will be dealt with fairly,” Cllr Finn said. “But this is an issue that has been let go in Mayo over the years and I’m glad to see that a proactive approach is being taken towards it now.”
Director of services for the Claremorris electoral area, Seamus Granahan, told the meeting: “We have changed the procedures in the way we deal with derelict sites recently. Each area now has one person attached to it to deal with the sites in their area. They will map them and compile a report for the environmental section who will then take it further.”
It was agreed by the meeting to have a review of the progress on the issue at the April meeting of the committee.
