Council denied permission to CPO Knocklong house

Limerick City and County Council have been refused permission to compulsorily purchase a derelict building in Knocklong, after An Bord Pleanála determined that it was not particularly unsightly and that the legal owners should be given more time to carry out internal works so they can use it as a residential property.

The council confirmed they were going to designate the building, Medova House, as ‘derelict’ in February 2021 and a notice was served on the owners, Patrick and Liam Gleeson, in October that year of the council’s intention to compulsorily purchase the building.

The house and end-of-terrace property close to the village centre, has been in the owners’ possession for four generations and they stated that Patrick Gleeson, one of the parties involved, is a college student and hopes to live in the house in the future. At present, he is unable to get a mortgage due to the fact he is a student and they asked for a grace period of five or six years.

The owners objected based on the fact that the council had formally contacted them only three times with formal notices. They also stated that other properties have been on the council’s derelict sites register for much longer, along with stating that there are other buildings in Knocklong in a visually worse state. As part of their submission, the Gleesons gave examples of three other properties in Knocklong they said were ‘far worse’ and the council had not attempted to compulsorily purchase these, nor the Kilmallock Railway Station.

Works which were planned for Medova House were delayed because the whole process took place over a time of Covid lockdown restrictions.

They also countered that there was ‘ minimal’ rubbish and litter on the property that they picked up regularly and the owners also seemed surprised at the council’s claim that the back yard was unduly overgrown; the ivy growth, they said, was not excessive and furthermore not publicly visible. Doubts were cast on whether the council were acting in the interests of reducing dereliction.

For their part, the council said there had been ‘ongoing’ complaints from councillors, local business owners and residents about dereliction in Knocklong, but did not specify the nature of complaints against this particular building. A decision was made on the case in March this year.