Vacant sites being considered for new levy
RATHNEW AND NEWTOWN SITES BEING LOOKED AT
A NUMBER of sites in Wicklow town, Rathnew and Newtownmountkennedy are proposed for inclusion in the new Vacant Sites Levy.
The Vacant Sites Levy (VSL) has been introduced by the Government to ensure that land, particularly in urban areas, is put to the most productive and appropriate use.
During a presentation by senior planners from Wicklow County Council, Sorcha Walsh and Lisa Rothwell, at the last meeting of Wicklow Municipal District, it was explained that the levy was being introduced in response to the number of sites lying vacant across the country.
It is envisaged that the VSL will stimulate development and housing supply to address the housing shortage, while also creating activity in the construction sector and helping to encourage economic recovery.
The levy will be applied annually by Wicklow County Council up to a rate of 3 per cent of the market value of the vacant site. Sites capable of providing housing will be of particular focus.
Potential regeneration sites must be located in regeneration zones and the site must exceed 0.05ha. The VSL can’t include a structure that is a person’s home.
The site, or the majority of the site, must be vacant or idle. It may also have an adverse effect on existing amenities.
Once it is determined that a site fulfils the criteria, the planning authority will write to the owner of the site outlining the reasons behind its proposed inclusion. The owner may make a submission within 28 days.
The submission will be considered and if the local authority still feel it should be under the VSL, then the site will be entered on the register. The owner ill then be charged and levied for each year beginning with 2018, that a market value had been determined and it stands entered on the register as a levy.
Owners can appeal to An Bord Pleanála. They may also appeal to the Valuation Tribunal against the market value of the site within 28 days after the date of the notice.
The levy is 3 per cent of the market value of the vacant site. If the site is subject to a loan and the outstanding amount of the loan is greater than the value of the vacant site, then the VSL in respect of that site is 0 per cent of the market value.
If it is greater than 75 per cent and less than 100 per cent of the vacant site then the VSL is 0.75 per cent of the market value.
If it is greater than 50 per cent but less than 75 per cent of the market value, then the VSL is 1.5 per cent of the market value. A RECENT musical event served as a fundraiser in aid of Arklow Cancer Support.
The ‘I’ve got the Monday blues’ event was organised by music enthusiasts Colm and Mary Weadick from Friends of Philo and took place in The Old Ship.
The recent blues night featured guest musical acts from Turkey, Australia and Poland as well as various local musicians.
The line-up included Ali Ataman (Turkey) Gerry Power, Brian Meakin, Colm Weadick, Ray Weadick, Arif Ortakmaç (Turkey), Pat Crowe, KJ McEvoy, Fran Harper, Patrick Fairchild (Australia), Paul ‘Gig’ Tyrell, Agnes Marcenek Gajek, Kieran ‘Rocky’ Whelan, David Cox and Ashley Hayden.
The organisers were delighted with the turnout and with the feedback about the performances.
There was also an auction for a Rory Gallagher print which was purchased by Fran Harper during the event.
A total of €823 was raised for Arklow Cancer Support and the proceeds were handed over to Director of Services Mary O’Brien in recent days.
Ms O’Brien thanked Mr and Mrs Weadick for their support and paid tribute to them for organising the successful event.