Efforts to bring vacant or derelict town-centre properties back into use are being hindered by strict planning, conservation, and fire-safety requirements. A councillor said redevelopment in Bandon is next to impossible under current planning regulations and described conservation and fire officers as creating opposing constraints. Another councillor said the cost of meeting conservation and fire standards is beyond cost-effective and discourages development. A council official disagreed with the “zealous” characterization, saying staff apply planning and safety rules. The official said conservation is important but must be balanced with fire safety, which is paramount. Older buildings often lack fire certificates because they predate current fire standards.
"“We have zealous conservationists and we have zealous fire officers who are like two opposite ends. It is impossible to square the circle for any misfortunate person who owns a property in the middle of Bandon and tries to get it developed.”"
"“There's a huge push to regenerate our towns but our heritage officers and our conservation officers, their approach is just too dogmatic entirely. It's stymying anybody's ability to develop anything in our towns, particularly in the heritage centres,” he said."
"“The cost of renewing a building to the conservation officer standard or the fire officer standard is beyond cost effective, it just turns people off.”"
"“There's a balance to be struck when you're renovating an old building or a vacant building and conservation is an important part of that balance. We're trying to retain the town where we can but safely when it comes to applying fire safety rules. Safety is paramount,” he said."
Read at Irish Independent
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