Five derelict properties in Portarlington have been levied by Laois County Council, according to information given out at a meeting this week.
A motion from local councillor Aidan Mullins called on the council to give a list of the designated derelict sites in Portarlington to show the level of enforcement action taken by the council for each site.
And a response from senior planner David O’Hara said that two sites at Main Street (the old Post Office and the old AIB) as well as two more on Bracklone Street and one at No 5 Foxcroft Street have been levied.
“Four of the sites are under consideration for compulsory purchase,” added the official council response, while the meeting was also told that the annual levy now stands at 7% of the property’s value, up from the previous rate of 5%.
“The only reason the property levy is imposed is that property owners have ignored (requests),” said Cllr Mullins.
“I’ve raised this issue many times. The old AIB – the state of that building. It wouldn’t be tolerated in any other town in the country.
“They couldn’t care less about the town. I still don’t know if the levy is enough of a deterrent.
“They have been allowed stay idle for the last 15-20 years and I’m afraid they’ll stay the same for the next 15-20 years.
“The Tidy Towns committee are so frustrated over this.”
Cllr Mullins was backed up by Cllr PJ Kelly on the issue.
“So much money has been spent by business owners and home owners on Main Street and yet this eyesore is planked in the middle of it.
“It’s a crying shame that it has been left this way.”
SEE ALSO – Check out more stories from the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District here
