Calls for action over dereliction at Lismeen Hills

Calls have been made for action to address long-running dereliction and unfinished development at Lismeen Hills in Ballyjamesduff, with local councillors highlighting concerns over anti-social behaviour, fires and the impact on residents.

Cllr Trevor Smith (FG) described the situation at the latest Ballyjamesduff MD meeting as a “long saga”, saying it had been going on for more than 20 years. He said part of the private development remained unfinished and residents are growing increasingly frustrated that nothing appears to be happening.

He suggested that Cavan County Council consider purchasing part of the site, noting that it had previously been put up for sale but withdrawn from auction.

John McGahern, Area Engineer, told the meeting that derelict sites are under the remit of the Planning Department. He said that three notices had issued relating to eight properties in the estate, which are on the council’s Derelict Sites Register.

He added that a further survey of derelict sites would take place in the coming months to include Lismeen Hills.

Ramona McAvenue, Senior Executive Officer in the Housing Section, said the council is “keeping a close eye” on the site. She said planning had originally provided for 60 houses, but that such a development would now be too large for the council’s social housing needs.

The site could potentially provide social housing, she said, with “12 houses in part five” if it were to be acquired through a future development.

Noting the uncertain ownership situation, Ms McAvenue said the company that owns the site is in liquidation, meaning that process would have to continue before the council could consider its options.

Cllr Shane P. O’Reilly (Ind) called for the council to investigate whether enforcement action under Section 154 of the Planning and Development Act could be pursued. He argued that this could provide greater clarity over the problems.

“The biggest problem is, if people are paying good money for housing, there’s an issue with waste,” he said, warning that wasteland could create further problems for nearby residents.

Cllr Noel Connell (SF) separately raised concerns about the site, saying he had first brought the issue to a Municipal District meeting around 10 years ago. He said residents had since reported fires and anti-social behaviour.

He questioned whether the owner had been contacted, whether levies are being paid and asked who is responsible for maintaining the site.

Councillors were told that ownership remained subject to a legal process. It was suggested that the original owner had gone into liquidation and that a vulture fund had subsequently become involved.

The meeting agreed that the matter should be referred back to the Planning Department for clarification, including whether further enforcement action could be taken.