High Street barriers in place due to fear of slates flying off old roofs
PARKING has been prohibited in an area opposite two old buildings at 16 and 17 High Street because of fears slates could come off the roofs of the property and cause damage to property or injury to people on the street below the houses. Cllr Declan Bree raised the issue, asking why parking had been prevented in the area adjacent to two properties on High Street. He pointed out both buildings are included in the Council’s Record of Protected Structures.
Cllr Bree asked that Borough District of Sligo meeting be provided with a report on the property located at numbers 16 and 17 High Street. He said the buildings are considered one of the oldest roofed buildings in Sligo, dating back to the 17th century. It would probably have been constructed as a merchants house during the period of the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, he said.
“In this context it is important that the Council take action to ensure that the necessary works are carried out to prevent the building becoming endangered and also to ensure that the footpath and street are returned to normal,” he said.
The premises at numbers 16 and 17 High Street are included in Sligo’s Record of Protected Structure. 16 and 17 High Street were originally one building and share the same roof.
“An owner or occupier of a protected structure is legally required to make sure that the structure does not become endangered through neglect, decay, damage or harm.
“If for any reason a protected structure becomes endangered the Council has a statutory obligation to intervene to prevent it becoming endangered
“The structure has historic significance. Experts point out that it has an intact original butt-purlin roof structure and gable roofed staircase projection in the centre of the rear elevation,” he added.
Dorothy Clarke, on behalf of SCC, said that on October 18, 2021, Sligo County Council served a Section 59 Notice on this property.
A report was prepared by a Conservation Architect and an inspection on 16/1/20 confirmed that the steps outlined in the Section 59 were substantially complied with.
He added that an agent acting on behalf of the owner had indicated that he will be arranging a pre-planning meeting in the coming weeks to discuss the development opportunities for this property.
The Council’s Roads Section closed off the footpath and prevented parking in front of this property as there was a risk of slates falling from the roof. The Roads Section are in contact with the owner of the property and when the issue is resolved the footpath will be reopened and parking restored.
Cllr Bree said traders in High Street had raised the parking restriction issue with him, they wanted to know why that part of the street was closed and for home much longer ths would continue.
He said he had a concern as he wanted to know when the roof would be made safe. “My biggest concern is that I have no indication when the roof will be made safe and my immediate concern is that no more slates would fall off the roof. “Will this drag into the New Year, surely this can be resolved relatively quickly?
Brian Flynn, SCC, said the Council had spoken to the owner and raised that concern with him.