Inaction over essential works to unsafe building angers Council
SLIGO County Council has served legal notice on the property agents responsible for 39, High Street, the structure adjacent to the Friary, directing them to carry out particular works including the demolition of the front façade of the building. The matter is due for hearing in Sligo District Court on the 4 th of September.
Welcoming the Council’s decision to commence legal action Cllr Declan Bree said: “Back in December engineers advised the Council that the building was unsafe, structurally unsound and at high risk of collapse onto High Street.
“In May following receipt of a conservation report on the building which recommended the careful dismantling of the front of the building there was an expectation that demolition works would commence.
“At the beginning of June councillors were advised that the necessary works would be commencing with a few weeks.
“We are now in the last week of August and despite the best efforts of Council officials demolition work has still not commenced.
“The building remains at high risk of collapse onto High Street and it appears that the agents responsible for the property do not see this issue as a priority.
“Residents, business people and their customers and church goers have been seriously inconvenienced over the past 8 months due to the building being cordoned off. “People have been more than patient. “We now need to see this matter resolved without further delay and in this context the legal proceedings are to be welcomed,” commented Cllr Bree.