Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The vacant site in Dublin. Google Maps

Justice Department hit with €27,000 levy by Dublin City Council for vacant site it is trying to transfer to the council

The site at 51A Old Kilmainham Road, Dublin 8, has been vacant for a number of years.

THE MINISTER FOR Justice has lost an appeal against a €27,000 vacant site levy being issued by Dublin City Council on a site due to be transferred to the council for use as social housing.  

The Irish Prison Service (IPS) – which is an Executive Agency of the Justice Department and overseen by the Minister for Justice – owns a vacant site at the corner of Old Kilmainham Road and South Circular Road in the south of the city. 

The site at 51A Old Kilmainham Road, Dublin 8, has been vacant for a number of years and was entered into the Vacant Sites Register in April 2017.

According to planning documents, the Department of Justice and DCC are in discussions to transfer the site to DCC at a nominal value for the development of a social housing project. DCC is then due to lease the site to the housing charity Novas Initiatives.

Novas applied for planning permission in January 2015 and was granted permission in January 2016 (after significant local objection) for the development of 13 apartments on the site which will be used as social housing. 

However, since the initial agreement DCC informed the IPS that they (the council) required a freehold ownership title to the site (meaning they own it outright permanently), rather than a leasehold title (meaning the ownership is for a limited number of years).

This wasn’t possible – according to the documents – as the site is a leasehold with about 750 years left to run. DCC has sought confirmation from Novas whether a leasehold title would be acceptable. Once this confirmation is received, the site can then be transferred to DCC.

Vacant Site Levy

In the meantime, the site has remained vacant and in the ownership of the IPS (ultimately being owned by the Department of Justice) and was entered into the Vacant Sites Register. 

Since the beginning of 2017, local authorities (in this case DCC) have been required to keep a register of lands in their area that are suitable for housing but have not been put forward for development.

These lands are then subjected to a yearly levy aimed at encouraging owners to develop the site and prevent land hoarding. The levy is charged at 3% of the determined value of the site. 

A valuation of the site was issued by the City Valuers Office in May, 2018, for €900,000 and the Minister for Justice was notified of this. A Demand for Payment of €27,000 (3% of total value) was then issued to the minister in February of this year.

Appeal 

The IPS appealed this charge to An Bord Pleanála (ABP), explaining its position in relation to the site and its desire to transfer it to DCC. 

According to the ABP Inspector’s report, the IPS stated it was surprised at the levy being issued on the site it was hoping to transfer to DCC. The IPS stated that it was “fully committed to transferring the site to DCC and in this context, wish to appeal against the demand”.

Its decision, ABP looked at the appeal under two criteria:

  1. Whether the site was still vacant on 1 January of this year
  2. Whether the €27,000 amount was incorrectly calculated 

ABP dismissed the appeal, finding that the site was still vacant as defined under the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 and still in ownership of the Minister for Justice. 

Planners also noted the neglected condition of the site and its impact on other properties in the area and the evidence of anti-social behaviour there. It directed that the Demand for Payment of €27,000 from the Minister for Justice still stands. 

TheJournal.ie has contacted Dublin City Council, the Department of Justice, the Irish Prison Service and Novas for comment, but no responses were received by the time of publication. 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
13 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
    Report
    May 1st 2017, 7:47 PM

    Well done Siobhán a great article. Respect and I wish you well on your next steps.

    295
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Hedderman
    Favourite Declan Hedderman
    Report
    May 1st 2017, 7:45 PM

    siobhan brady you are a beautiful soul

    192
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Doggett
    Favourite Gary Doggett
    Report
    May 1st 2017, 8:04 PM

    Well done Siobhán, it’s very brave to articulate your difficulties in this way. Hopefully others will be encouraged to seek help too.

    178
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marie Gunbay
    Favourite Marie Gunbay
    Report
    May 1st 2017, 8:15 PM

    I take my hat off to you Siobhan what an inspiration you are to people with mental health issues.

    142
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Foot
    Favourite Paul Foot
    Report
    May 1st 2017, 7:39 PM

    Mental illness was very prevalent in this country for years – but hidden and denied. Like being anti-Catholic, gay or a West brit…

    105
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute lavbeer
    Favourite lavbeer
    Report
    May 1st 2017, 8:39 PM

    @Paul Foot: or being an arsehole maybe?

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen murphy
    Favourite Stephen murphy
    Report
    May 1st 2017, 11:37 PM

    @lavbeer: You’ll find, Arseholes are needed and you’d be f%*ked without one.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ChuckE
    Favourite ChuckE
    Report
    May 1st 2017, 9:32 PM

    A brilliant article and eye-opener. If more people could open up like you I’m sure many more could be helped

    80
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B Collins
    Favourite B Collins
    Report
    May 2nd 2017, 12:58 AM

    And fair play to the teacher who stepped up and supported her.

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute 6ljJQRRU
    Favourite 6ljJQRRU
    Report
    May 1st 2017, 11:27 PM

    I think mental health issues are now understood which is positive There’s articles on it every day. What’s overlooked is I always feel sorry for family in this situation. They have to endure a lot often their own lives are put on hold. I think their needs should be recognised prominently as well especially that there can be other stressful things going on in their lives e.g. money worries, medical problems, elderly care etc.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen murphy
    Favourite Stephen murphy
    Report
    May 1st 2017, 11:40 PM

    @6ljJQRRU: I think, some of it or most is due to society and how we live. We are social creatures, living in a toxic environment and greed drives it.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patricia Tsouros
    Favourite Patricia Tsouros
    Report
    May 2nd 2017, 6:29 AM

    You are certainly a force breaking the stigma around mental health. Excellent personal article, well done.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leeann Amy Bryan
    Favourite Leeann Amy Bryan
    Report
    May 2nd 2017, 4:31 PM

    Well done Siobhan, great article. V. Inspirational best of luck with whatever the future holds.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John O'Driscoll
    Favourite John O'Driscoll
    Report
    May 3rd 2017, 4:24 AM

    Good woman Siobhain and fair play for your honesty and to Seechange also for support. World inside our heads most often does us far more damage than the world outside our heads. Guy on a plane in California once said that to me and he was a silicon valley guru one of the originals. Stayed with me ever since. Find it useful to recall quite often. Reframing and repackaging one’s own thoughts can greatly ease (dis)stress and promote eustress.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cathy O Rourke
    Favourite Cathy O Rourke
    Report
    May 5th 2017, 1:01 AM

    I would just like to thank you for this article. It has helped a small way to me understanding depression even though I have suffered bouts of it as well and am on medI cation now.. i was an adult when i began to get it. How utterly isolating and lonely it must have been for you at 13 to deal with this. I wish you the very best in life and keep up the writing. Cathy

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fisher Jackson
    Favourite Fisher Jackson
    Report
    May 3rd 2017, 5:28 AM

    I know people will be complaining about their marriage, and their relationship, especially the women, they usually complain about their husband does not love them anymore, their husband is cheating on them and even their husband left them, but my case was similar to theirs, my name is Sonia Walker, I am from Texas, USA, I had a very similar case with theirs, my husband, Walker left me with my two kids, for no reason, he said he does not love me anymore, he left for about 5 years, he never called me even my kids, I had a friend, Anita, she had a case similar to mine but her husband is now with her, I told her my problems I was facing, she told me about a great man that helped her to solve her problems, she introduced me to the great Baba ubeji, a man with great powers and kindness, he told me that my problems will be solved, so I believed, then after one week, it was unbelievable my husband came to me asking me for forgiveness, I accepted him, he has changed some much since when he came back, I just want to thank, the great Baba ubeji for his understanding and love, my friends if you are facing similar problems with me and even some other problem just email him at greatbabaubeji@gmail.com

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Evolution Temple
    Favourite Evolution Temple
    Report
    May 3rd 2017, 12:22 PM

    You are welcome to Dr Ogudu temple where all kinds of problems are solve, with out any delay.You have reached a place where you can have a fast acting Love Spell cast by a real spell caster within 28 Hours. As an experienced spell caster I have a wide knowledge of Magic Spells and how to cast them for the best results. An experienced spell caster will know which Love Spell will suit your specific situation and be happy and confident to cast for you.Whatever your current love situation is I assure I can help.

    1:You need you Ex Lover, Wife, Husband, Friend, Sister E.T.C.
    2: You need a lottery spell
    3: You need money spell
    4: You need a job spell
    5: You need a spell to cure to any disease such as HIV/Aids, Diabetes, Parkinson, E.T.C .

    NOTE: If you come to my temple here and contact me for help, just be patient and wait for my response. Do not hurry away to another spell caster because there are lots of fake spell casters online here claiming to be real. So do not fall victim. And I must tell you this that you were so very lucky to have met and contacted me, so if I do not reply to you immediately, then know that I am in my temple, carrying out some spell work or sacrifices. So just relax your mind and wait for my response. And I want you to know that you have finally come to the end of your problems. I know you might have heard about me, but now is the time for you to benefit from me yourself. Because my greatest Joy is to see your problems being put to an end.

    DO NOT SUFFER YOUR SELF FROM ANY BREAK DOWN,CURSE, SICKNESS OR ANY KIND OF SPIRITUAL SET BACK. COME TO Dr Ogudu FOR YOUR HELP. Authority is king! The spell that i provide is the ultimate fast results, The best spell casters/ Herbal Doctors are not easy to pick out! Many hearts are broken every day and many people suffer in vain. Don’t be one of them. Let me help you with your case. My powerful spells can STOP A DIVORCE and much much more! and I am considered one of the most powerful spell casters with White Voodoo. I can help you. I have a big range of powerful spells to use for your needs. What outcome do you want? You might wonder how the spells will affect you? Will the spell be helpful? YES! The spells I cast for you will not have any unwanted side effects such as bad Karma. As long as the intentions are pure out of love as I am sure they are, right?. Magic is actually an energy from mother earth that can be controlled. Specializing in the fields of Love, Money, Power, Success, Pregnancy, Sickness, Luck and Witch Craft. I can help you with any problem or wish that you might have. Contact me today at:

    EMAIL–[OGUDUSPELLTEMPLE@YAHOO.COM]
    WHATSAPP NUMBER +2348106058254
    Website…http://oguduspelltemple.wixsite.com/drogudu

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds