Derelict Sites

Derelict sites can have a detrimental impact on the social, economic, commercial and visual aspects on the surrounding neighbourhood. It is important that they are reported, investigated and rendered non-derelict.

Prevention & Control

The Derelict Sites Act requires that the owner and occupier of land ensure that the land or structures do not become or do not continue to be a derelict site.

The Act defines a Derelict Site as any land which detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or appearance of land in the neighbourhood of the land in question because of;

• structures which are in a ruinous, derelict or dangerous condition, or
• the neglected, unsightly or objectionable condition of the land or structures, or
• the presence, deposit or collection of litter, rubbish, debris or waste.

The Act imposes duties on the Local Authority to:

• Maintain a Derelict Sites Register.
• Make the Register available for public inspection.
• Serve a Notice on the owner/occupier specifying works to be carried out to prevent or stop dereliction.
• Acquire by agreement or compulsorily any derelict site.
• Impose an annual levy on any derelict site in an urban area, based on 7% of its valuation.

Reports of dereliction are investigated, the ownership is established and the owner is written to.

What the council does in relation to Derelict Sites

Following an inspection a report is prepared detailing:

• Ownership
• Location/Map of Site
• Condition of the site/ photographs
• List of works required
• Recommendations

Following this time period if no response has been received, the site is re-inspected, if none of the works have been completed then:

1. A notice of intention under Section 8.2 of the Derelict Sites Act is posted to the owner, outlining the works required to render the site non Derelict, giving the owner 4 weeks to respond to the notice in writing or else the site will be placed on the Derelict Sites Register and made available for public viewing.
2. A Notice under Section 8.7 of the Derelict Sites Act is posted to the owner informing them that the site has been placed on the register, this can be posted along with:
3. A notice under Section 11 of the Derelict Sites Act, requiring the owner to carry out the works listed in the schedule in a specified time period or else face a financial penalty, a levy and/or a court summons. (see below)

What happens if your site is added to the Derelict Sites Register

If a site that you own is added to the Derelict Sites Register, Tipperary County Council has the authority to do the following:

• We can demand that you restore your site to a non-derelict condition within a certain time period. You are normally given 6 weeks to complete such work. A financial penalty may be imposed if you fail to do so.
• We can apply a financial penalty on you. This could amount to 7% of market value of your derelict site for every year it remains on the Derelict Sites Register.
• We can purchase your property by agreement or by compulsory purchase order.
• You may have difficulty disposing of a property / land where a Derelict Sites Levy has been applied and is outstanding as a charge on the property.

To report a Derelict Site:

If you have a query relating to a Derelict site please contact the Environment & Climate Action Section.

By phone: 0818 06 5000

By email: customerservices@tipperarycoco.ie

By post: Tipperary County Council, Civic Offices, Nenagh or Civic Offices, Emmet Street, Clonmel.

In Person: At our offices in Nenagh and Clonmel

Derelict Sites Act 1990