Vacant site levy is at its first phase
MEMBERS of Bray Municipal District heard about the forthcoming Vacant Site Levy last Tuesday at their meeting. Sorcha Walsh and Lisa Rothwell from the planning team in Wicklow county Council addressed the members.
The plans will still have to be formalised by Wicklow County Council. Under the legislation, a levy will be applied to vacant sites, where a loan does not apply to that site.
The levy of three per cent of market value only applies to sites greater than 500 metres squared.
Some of the examples on a report before the members in this first phase include the old ‘Cois Farraige’ site on Strand Road; lands on the junction of Castle Street and Dublin Road; the site of the demolished Everest Centre; and a vacant shop unit on the Main Street. Cllr Joe Behan said that he is surprised that the old ESB shop on the corner of Herbert Road and the Main Street is not included.
He said that it has been vacant since it was a bank in around 2007.
‘It’s a fantastic site and completely empty and unused for eight to 10 years,’ he said. ‘I think it would be worth considering for the register, it’s such a landmark site.’ Cllr Steven Matthews said that this is a good attempt to start nudging property owners in the right direction.
‘I’m disappointed that it only applies to 500 metres squared. That rules out a number of sites. Would it be an opportune time to look at sites for the derelict sites register?’
‘I am delighted that this is happening,’ said Cllr Michael O’Connor. ‘You can certainly be assured our support. I’m particularly delighted to see the former Cash & Carry building across from the station here,’ he said.
‘It’s a blight on the town. Hopefully we’ll be able to get the owners to something with them.’
Cllr Pat Vance welcomed the levy with a note of caution. ‘I’m not sure about penalising people that own vacant sites. I would prefer carrot and stick.
People might not have the finance to do anything. They should be offered incentives over a very short period of time to develop and if they didn’t then kick in with the penalty. Cllr Chris Fox asked if the money would stay in the district.
Ms Walsh said that the money must be used for development and renewal in the vicinity of the site.