Vacant Sites 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, these registers were established and a vacant site levy will be charged from January 2019 onwards. Please see the related documents on this page.
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 is Residential Land?
This is land where the zoning objective on the land is primarily for residential use.
In Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown all lands that are identified in the County Development Plan 2016-2022 with either zoning Objective A (to protect and/or improve residential amenity) or A2 (to provide for the creation of sustainable residential neighbourhoods and preserve and protect residential amenity) are considered residential lands for the purpose of this legislation.
What is Regeneration Land?
In Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown areas that are identified in the County Development Plan 2016-2022 as areas that are considered to contain lands in need of regeneration/renewal, Section 1.3.3, are considered potential regeneration lands for the purpose of this legislation.
What happens next?
On January 1st 2017, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council established a Vacant Sites Register which aims to identify sites within the County on residential or regeneration lands suitable for housing but not coming forward for development.
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.
Additional information in relation to dates and location will also be provided for ease of reference.
Where can I find out what Vacant Sites there are in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County?
The Vacant Sites Register is available for inspection at the County Hall Planning Counter during normal opening hours.
For Further Information on Vacant Sites, please contact Secretariat, Planning and Organisational Innovation Department, (01) 2054871 or email Planning@dlrcoco.ie