Council set to acquire 'high profile' derelict site in Carlow village

An Bord Pleánala has approved the compulsory acquisition of a derelict building close to the centre of Hacketstown village.

Carlow County Council initiated CPO proceedings last year and the application was referred to An Bord Pleánala after the owner of the property, through his legal representatives, objected.

The property, at Main Street, Hacketstown, comprises a single-storey bungalow and associated front, side and rear garden. The site is located on the western side of Main Street and adjacent to the grounds of St Brigid’s Church.

According to planning inspector Peter Nelson, the front windows were boarded up and the back and side windows were blocked up when he visited the property last October.

"The gardens were also overgrown and extensive vegetation was growing on the rear elevation," he states in his report.

Mr Nelson noted that the representatives of the owner of the property had submitted that, prior to the CPO proceedings being initiated, their client had been in discussions with Carlow County Council with a view to the local authority "acquiring the said property by way of a private purchase".

The submission to An Pleánala added that the same individual owns another property in the village which Carlow County Council may also have an interest in acquiring it.

In its submission, the council's Town Regeneration Officer Nicola Lawler stated the bungalow is "very valuable in the housing stock as it can be used for various family types with varying needs".

She added that the property has been vacant for a number of years and that the council's primary objective is to address vacancy and maximise the use of existing stock.

"The reuse and regeneration of vacant properties can provide much-needed housing while also being an essential catalyst totransforming areas and the communities living in them," she stated.

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However, recommending that the council be allowed to compulsorily acquire the site, Mr Nelson stated: "The house is vacant and has a neglected, unsightly and objectionable appearance from the public road. The front bay windows and the front door of the property are boarded up. The paintwork is in very poor condition and the driveway and front garden are overgrown and unsightly. The rear and side windows are blocked up. The side guttering is falling off. The majority of the rear elevation of the house is covered in vegetation. The rear garden is overgrown and unsightly.

At a meeting in February, the board adopted the planning inspector's recommendation and formally approved the council application.