'Online shopping has depleted retail in Mayo's towns and villages'
The Mayo County Council offices at Clare, Claremorris
A local councillor has called for staff from Mayo County Council’s Derelict Sites Unit to attend the next meeting of the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District.
Ballinrobe-based Cllr Damien Ryan said that Minister for Housing James Browne “brandished” the council for its action in relation to dereliction and compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) during his recent visit to Mayo.
CPOs are legal functions that allow a local authority or other statutory bodies to take ownership of land or property without consent of the owner.
“The average of two CPOs per year is totally not in line with what needs to be happening and as a local authority, we need to be proactive,” he said.
Cllr Ryan's proposal was seconded by Kiltimagh-based Cllr Adrian Forkan.
“Our towns are being hollowed out. Online shopping has depleted retail in towns and villages and it is hard to row back from that but we can’t allow this level of dereliction,” he said.
Director of Services for Housing Tom Gilligan said further action is needed on dereliction.
“Dereliction is a blight. While not all premises are suitable for accommodation, we have to get the balance right because our towns and villages are dying and we have to turn the tide,” he said.
