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New legislation aimed at tackling run-down and neglected buildings has been welcomed by Slieve Croob Councillor Helena Young.
The Bill will provide councils with the toolkit to put landowners on notice and ensure they look after their buildings, both within the district and elsewhere in Northern Ireland. Cllr Young said run-down buildings were a blight on neighbourhoods and town centres and that it was local people who suffered when landowners allowed their property to fall into disrepair.
“People deserve to have pride in their communities and that’s why Alliance is giving councils the powers they need to deal with dilapidation, breathing new life into our town centres and helping to drive regeneration,” she said. Cllr Young added that it was now up to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to use the new powers to hold landowners to account, stepping in where necessary and then sending over the bill.
She said the legislation had the potential to be transformative for neighbourhoods, and that Minister Muir, in bringing it forward, was showing what Alliance leadership and delivery looks like.
Minister Muir said: “People in Northern Ireland deserve to have pride in their local area and to see their high streets thriving with shops, restaurants and a variety of businesses, instead of being blighted by run-down buildings and dilapidation.
“With the passing of this Bill, we are marking a potentially transformative moment for our neighbourhoods as we enhance the ability of Councils to tackle dilapidation wherever it occurs. It is now up to Councils to drive change in their communities and utilise these powers on the ground.
“I am extremely proud of this legislation and look forward to it playing a role in supporting our local economy delivering more vibrant neighbourhoods.”
The Dilapidation Bill will enable councils to issue a range of enforcement notices to require owners, occupiers and others with a relevant interest to take appropriate remedial action to deal with dilapidation and neglect or allow the council to take such action itself and recover its costs from the relevant person.
The Bill is expected to receive Royal Assent within the next six weeks. Once Royal Assent has been received, the Bill will become law and will be known as the Dilapidation Act (Northern Ireland) 2026.
