Vacant Sites

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Vacant Site Register

Under the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015, each local authority has to compile a register of lands in its area that are suitable for housing but are not coming forward for development. On January 1st 2017, a Vacant Site Register was established for Co. Galway. A vacant site levy will be charged for lands contained on this register from January 2019 onwards.

What is a Vacant Site?

The Urban Regeneration and Housing Act contains a detailed definition of what constitutes a vacant site.  In very general terms, this includes any land where:
In the case of residential land, there is a need for housing in the area, the site is suitable for housing and the majority of the site has not been in use (i.e. vacant) for an extended period of time.
In the case of regeneration land, the majority of the site has not been in use (i.e. vacant) for an extended period of time and where the fact that the site being vacant is having a negative impact on existing amenities or on the character of the area.

What happens next?

As the Register was only established on January 1st 2017, it is not presently populated with any vacant sites. Galway County Council will be engaging in a detailed assessment of all potential vacant sites in the County. This assessment will involve correspondence with the relevant landowners at various stages throughout the review process.

What information can be found on the Vacant Sites Register?

As set out in Sections 6 and 8 of the Urban and Regeneration Housing Act 2015, each vacant site placed on the Register will include the following information:

• A description (including a map)
• Where the site comprises registered land, the folio details;
• The name and address of the owner;
• Particulars of the market value of the site; and
• Such other information referred to in the Act that the Minister may prescribe.

 

Vacant Sites Register

Click below to access the vacant sites register

Vacant Sites Register