Derelict file opened on "eyesore" Laois house
The derelict house is located on the outskirts of the beautiful heritage village of Timahoe. General image for illustration
MOVES are underway to place a long-vacant rural house on the derelict site register, after an appeal by a local councillor.
Cllr Paschal McEvoy described the property at Esker, Timahoe as “an eyesore”, as he asked Laois Co Council to take steps to add the house to the register and possibly start the process for a compulsory purchase order (CPO).
The dilapidated house is located on the outskirts of the beautiful heritage village and is near another residential property.
Cllr McEvoy said the house was once a family home but all residents had passed away and the building is in a bad state.
“It is a sad sight and I feel sorry for the people living near it,” he told the September meeting of Graiguecullen-Portarlington municipal district council.
The Stradbally councillor added: “We have an awful house shortage and we need to take over vacant properties when we can. It is an eyesore and something needs to be done about it.”
In a written reply, an official from the council’s regeneration section confirmed that they have opened a derelict file on the site and are arranging to carry out an up-to-date site inspection.
The response said: ‘If indicated by the site inspection, we will proceed to serve the relevant notices on the owner and add this site to the derelict site register. Cllr McEvoy will be kept updated in relation to this file.’
Cllr McEvoy said he was happy with the response and hoped the inspection would be carried out soon.
