Protected structures are 'no longer viable' for redevelopment

A councillor has told the Government to “open up the purse” if it wants to see historic and protected structures brought back into use, warning that some derelict buildings are being left untouched because of their protected status and the costs of developing them.

Cllr Richard Finn said private developers have purchased protected buildings across the county with the view of bringing them back into use, but the cost of rejuvenation works has made the process “unviable”. His comments followed those of Cllr Alma Gallagher, who raised the Old Convent project in Ballyhaunis, which will see the town’s library relocated to the former convent building.

“We are looking forward to developments there and [welcome] the €5.5m that has been allocated,” she told a meeting of Claremorris and Swinford Municipal District. However, Cllr Gallagher said she was aware of concerns about fluctuations in costs, but stressed the need for works to begin quickly.

“There have been diggers on site and a lot of activity on the premises. Very much looking forward to seeing developments there."

“It is a credit that we are looking at these old buildings and addressing dereliction. They are costly, it would be easier to go to a green site, but it is a development point for Ballyhaunis where we have different protected structures that can be developed,” she added.

Cllr Richard Finn said he had a “different angle” on the subject of bringing protected structures out of dereliction. While supportive of the idea, he raised concerns that the Government was placing buildings under protected status unnecessarily, making their redevelopment difficult and, in some cases, unviable.

“It's all fine talking about protected buildings, structures, and everything else in the county,” the Independent councillor said. “But if the Government wants protected buildings, they can come along and open up the purse, like they have in Ballinrobe, and finance these structures they want protected.” 

He said several buildings around the county were “under the guise of protection” and that private developers who had purchased them could not viably carry out the work required to bring them back into use.

Cllr Finn said Claremorris is an example of a town where significant work is being undertaken to tackle dereliction and promote infill development, but added that a lot of the redevelopment remains unfinished.

“We cannot condone development in towns being held up on account of so-called protected structures,” he said referring to the Old Bank Corner in Claremorris.

“That Old Bank Corner has no more value than anything to any future or past history. It is an old building.” 

He said it was “prohibitive” for a developer to even consider purchasing and developing the site.

“Let the Government come along and give the money to the people if they want to preserve these buildings.” 

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.