Some derelict buildings afforded too much protection claims councillor

A high vacancy and dereliction rate in many of the rural towns and villages in the south and south-west Donegal was such a waste on so many levels, and particularly damaging to the local economies - that was the message from councillors at the last meeting of Donegal Municipal District.

Indeed one councillor claimed the protection afforded some listed buildings was a "joke" and stifled investment.

Another problem highlighted was that many derelict property owners simply had no means to revamp and revitalise properties.

Acting executive planner, Aideen Quinn told the meeting of the new Town Centre First initiative, an ambitious series of measures designed specifically to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into town centres. 

It tied in with the Housing For All programme and aimed to put policies and plans in place to look at town centres which included a look at exemptions to planning laws, older buildings, conversions to residential uses and cooperation between the housing and planning sections to make these things happen.

Cllr Michéal Naughton said he found from his own experiences that sometimes "the right hand did not know what the left hand was doing" when it came to things like this.

While they all wanted to see rejuvenation in town centres he found it hard to see how they could have heritage and try to restore a building to what it was 20 years ago yet expect to have the same regulations in relation to things like fire safety.

“I don't mean to be disrespectful but I feel some in heritage would rather see a building fall than kept. They would rather let it fall into a river or fall on the street before letting someone do it up.”

Cllr Naughton said another obstacle was listed buildings.
“What can we do in planning or what changes can we make to listed buildings, to me it's just a joke to put it mildly.”

He added it was up to council and councillors to take potential investors by the hand in places like Pettigo, Laghey, Ballintra, Mountcharles, Frosses or any small town of the village and give them all the support they could.

“I appreciate planning have to do their best but conservation officers and heritage ...Jesus, Mary and Joseph, it's enough to put you around in circles.”

He added no one wanted to lose the fabric of any town or village and life within but there had to be some give and hoped the Town Centre First programme could alleviate a lot of these problems.

“When will this come and when will the council be able to implement some of it. I also want to know will there be an onus of owners of these old buildings to do them up?” he asked.

Cllr Niamh Kennedy said there was a lot of dereliction in small and large towns with empty buildings that  needed to be re-purposed properly with proper planning in place.

She added the fire restrictions dealing with things like narrow staircases and small doors might not make renovation worth it in the end.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Barry Sweeny said he didn't agree with Cllr Naughton's “sweeping statement” in relation to heritage and its place.

“There's a narrative coming out now that's damaging to heritage. That's a sweeping statement if you don't mind me saying councillor that listed buildings are a joke. I know where you are coming from but we have to find the right balance,” he said.

He added some developers, as was the case with the old Heiton site in Ballyshannon, claimed it cost too much to keep and was cheaper to rebuild.

“They were built 200 years ago, tossed overnight and a pile of rubble was left for 20 years. They were ideal for recreation and repurposing. That's where the grants for heritage buildings are coming in now in order to make up the cost of repurposing rather than tossing it.”

Cllr Naughton said he could appreciate where these had a place in some towns like Ballyshannon but he was referring to houses that were falling on the street in some of the rural towns.

Cllr Noel Jordan asked when the county's listed buildings could be reviewed.

“I know they are in the County Development Plan. A number was removed in the last review of the plan, I know we got a number removed in this municipal district. There are a lot of people out there who didn;t know their building was listed and they were very annoyed.

“We explained there was a consultation about the list but they said they did not see it. Maybe we should make it more visible for the public,” he said.

Cllr Kennedy asked if a building was on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) could it then be removed? She said it would be useful for them also to know the date when a building was put on the RPS as it would be useful for someone who intended to buy it to know.

“The ones on the RPS do not come up for review. We also have to protect our history and heritage because without that, we've got nothing left. We need to embrace and work with it,” she said.

Cllr Naughton said they also had to be realistic. They needed investors to come in and they [the council] had to be serious.

“We can talk all we like but unless that businessperson comes in and spends the money we are going nowhere,” he said.

Ms Quinn explained councillors agreed on what would go on the RPS before going on to the County Development Plan. Once they were included they received statutory protection through Section 10 of the Planning Act and certain procedures had to be followed while working on a protected structure.

“A balance has to be found moving forward.”

She added she would come back to the councillors with answers to the other points raised.