New report on housing emphasises regeneration of derelict sites
There are roughly 100 derelict sites on the register.
'We have to have democracy worked out in public" - so said Sinn Féin Councillor John Hearne at the latest Plenary meeting in Waterford, where Councillors disagreed over the running of the agenda.
The first hour of the Plenary was focused on the housing report presentation given by Director of Services for Housing, Community & Emergency Services Helena Dennehy, along with Ivan Grimes.
Before the presentation, Councillors raised concerns over the standing order, which put the presentation ahead of the Management Report.
Some Councillors cautioned that the report should be heard first, especially in the context of housing and planning.
According to the report: '58 planning applications were received countywide in between 1st Jan, 2025 – 31st January 2025. This compares with 71 planning applications received for the same period in 2024. 50 Planning applications were granted during this period.'
The report also noted: 'The team is currently addressing a total of 309 properties classified as either derelict or potentially derelict. In recent weeks and months, there has been a significant increase in activity, with 100 properties now listed on the Derelict Sites Register.'
The housing presentation noted how the regeneration of derelict sites can contribute to adding to housing supply. Mr Grimes said: "Similar to the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) activation program, the intention here would be that the property is sold at market value, so the money is constantly being re-invested in tackling vacancy.
"We combine this work by planning on it with the housing team in relation to the vacant property refurbishment grant."
Mr Grimes said that each property had to be inspected before it could be added to the program.
The development of land zones for residential properties was also featured in the presentation.
According to Mr Grimes: "There is more than enough land zoned for residential development to meet requirements. There's no requirement that we can identify any additional lands to be zoned out."
