Owners will be consulted in campaign to bring vacant Tipperary properties back into use

The position in relation to derelict sites in Clonmel was raised by Cllr Tom Acheson at a meeting of Clonmel Borough District.

He said that while the town centre was waiting for funding under the URDF (Urban Regeneration and Development Fund), what is the plan for this year, and what derelict sites are on the register.

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He thought that the derelict sites team in Tipperary County Council might attend a meeting of the Borough District, or arrange a workshop for members.

Cllr Acheson also asked about progress on the former Parke’s Chemist building in Gladstone Street.

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Cllr Richie Molloy said that more hoarding had been pulled down from the vacant buildings in Market Place, and nails were exposed.

People should be careful when walking through that area because it was very dangerous, he said.

Cllr Molloy also said that a lot of questions were being asked about the former Clonmel Arms site.

Mayor Pat English said that funding was needed for the town centre.

Council official Mary Irwin said that the newly-appointed vacancy and dereliction team was engaging with the Borough District about the vacant sites register.

The team would also engage with the owners of vacant properties to see what could be done to bring them back into use.

The former Parke’s Chemist building in Gladstone Street was being purchased under a CPO (Compulsory Purchase Order) by the derelict sites team.

She also said that the owners would be contacted about the hoarding that had been pulled down from the building in Market Place.

Ms Irwin said they were hopeful they would hear about URDF funding by the end of the year.

She said they would follow up Cllr Molloy’s query about the former Clonmel Arms Hotel with the county council’s planning section.

Meanwhile, District Engineer Gillian Flynn said there was a completion date of early May for the creation of the new performance space at the Abbey Street car park, while there was a completion date of June for the Suir Island Gardens project.