Cllr Wants Dunnes Stores Building On Bridge Street Added To Derelict Sites Register

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Dunnes Stores on Bridge Street.

A LOCAL councillor has called for the Dunnes Stores property on Bridge Street to be added to the Derelict Sites Register.

Sinn Féin Cllr Deirdre Ferris had a motion before the online meeting of Tralee Municipal District District on Monday morning, that the Council look into adding the empty Dunnes Stores premises in the town cenre to the Derelict Sites Register as she said it is sitting empty for a decade and is having a depressive effect on the surrounding premises.

However, in reply, the Council said the property does not meet the definition of a derelict site.

Continued below…

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The definition of a ‘Derelict Site’ as set out in the Derelict Sites Act is: “any land which detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or appearance of land in the neighbourhood of the land in question

Because of…

• the existence on the land in question of structures which are in a ruinous, derelict or dangerous condition

• the neglected, unsightly or objectionable condition of the land or any structures on the land in question, or

• The presence, deposit or collection on the land in question of any litter, rubbish, debris or waste, except where the presence, deposit or collection of such litter, rubbish, debris or waste results from the exercise of a right conferred by statute or common law.”

Cllr Ferris said the vacant premises is having a severe effect on surrounding businesses. She said there are empty premises to left and right of it and Tralee Shopping Centre adjacent to it is almost empty.

Cllr Ferris said the Council needs to be more forceful on the issue and encouraged pressure to be put on public representatives bring the matter to Government.

Mayor of Tralee, Labour Cllr Terry O’Brien said that part of Bridge Street could do with a lift and the Council should look at the issue again.

He said Limerick Council had a similar problem with Dunnes Stores in the city centre and for the Council to look into what action they undertook.