By Dan Walsh
As the lucrative holiday season fast approaches pressure is being applied for swift action from Wexford County Council relating to the hoarding in Courtown, which is blocking off one side of the Main Street, allegedly blocking a footpath in breach of EU and UN Disability Laws.
The issue was high on the agenda at the recent public meeting called by Courtown Community Council with public representatives held in Ballycanew Resource Centre, but the issue gained further traction at last Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council where Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabhain called for the matter to be addressed on behalf of the Courtown community. Cllr Ó Súilleabhain described the Bayview site as “an eyesore” and referred to the negative impact it has as Courtown embarks on a new season as the one of the South East’s premier holiday resorts.
Chief Executive Officer, Tom Enright confirmed that the developer has been asked to take down the hoarding and prepare site as temporary carpark pending planning for development.
At the Courtown Community Committee it was alleged that “the village has been held to ransom for 15 years by one developer. The derelict Bayview site has been there for three years. Vacant site/derelict site fines should be imposed. Can a CPO, compulsory purchase order, be used? CPO the site and then sell it on to a developer who will develop it sympathetic to the character of the village and mindful of community needs.”
It is believed locally that a CPO on the Bayview site is certainly an option for elected representatives to pursue, however, it also believed locally that short term measures are needed immediately. “At least clean up the site, make it safe and draw back the hoarding. The responsibility is on the site owner and the matter should be brought to the attention of Wexford County Council to force the matter, mentioning they have the full support of local representatives,” stated a spokesperson.
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