Wicklow council to release full details on Arklow’s vacant sites as enforcement steps intensify

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

Wicklow County Council has confirmed that a full breakdown of Arklow’s six vacant sites will be issued to councillors, after questions were raised at the September monthly meeting about the duration of each site on the register, the level of outstanding levies and the enforcement actions taken to date.

The clarification came after Cllr Warren O’Toole pressed officials for greater transparency on how the Vacant Sites Register is being managed locally and what progress has been made in recovering unpaid charges.

Arklow accounts for six of the 17 sites currently listed countywide, a proportion that has long-drawn attention from councillors who argue that dereliction and under used land continue to hamper development and regeneration efforts in the town.

Cllr O’Toole asked for the precise locations of the six sites, how long each has been on the register, the amount of levies outstanding and the enforcement steps taken where owners have failed to pay.

He said councillors needed clear, site specific information to assess whether the levy system is functioning effectively and whether additional measures may be required to ensure compliance.

Responding, director of services Helena Dennehy said the council would provide a full list of the Arklow sites in due course, including the duration of their inclusion on the register and the levies owed.

The information was not supplied verbally at the meeting, but she confirmed it would be circulated to members.

She also noted that enforcement activity is underway across the county, with nine of the 17 sites referred to the Law Agent for levy collection proceedings. This means more than half of all registered sites have now entered formal legal channels.

Arklow’s six sites have become a particular focus due to the town’s ongoing need for housing, commercial space and community facilities. Cllr O’Toole said councillors must be able to track how long each site has remained idle and whether the levy is having any impact on owner behaviour.

He also highlighted the importance of understanding the scale of unpaid levies, noting that significant arrears could indicate deeper issues with enforcement or compliance.

The issue of vacant and derelict land has become increasingly prominent in local government discussions, particularly as councils seek to address housing shortages and revitalise town centres.

In Arklow, councillors have argued that unused sites contribute to visual decline, limit development opportunities and undermine efforts to attract investment.