A dangerous abandoned site in the village of Ballinagore, on the Mullingar to Tullamore Road is to be investigated by the Westmeath County Council under the Derelict Sites Act it was revealed this week.
Following a motion by Fine Gael Kilbeggan area councillor Colm Arthur, the council indicated that all levies had been paid by the developer of the site but that the area had not been fully developed. Cllr Arthur requested that the council, used the levies available to off set any cost the council may incur returning the derelict site to a green field site.
In response the council said that the levies sought totalled €160,940, including levies for treatment plant contribution, traffic calming, and water supply upgrade and these specific facilities and levies must be applied appropriately. According to the council, levies of €26,695 have been paid.
Cllr Arthur said he was delighted with the county councils response. “I hope we can return it to a green field site, it’s the best solution out there,” he said. Cllr Gerry Corcoran asked if the site could be secured in the interim. “There are some anti-social concerns from residents,” he explaned. “It’s an open area near the pub and anti-social behaviour has been reported.”
