AQW 9784/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 10/04/2024
Answered On Date: 15/04/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail (i) the number of times Article 6 of the Pollution Control and Local Government (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 has been used by local councils to force owners to make improvements to a dilapidated property, broken down by council area, in each of the last ten years; and (ii) the efforts his Department has made, and will make, to encourage councils to use the powers they have in this regard, particularly in reference to the impact on the neighbouring properties and area of increased insurance premiums, reduced property value, the visual impact, and anti-social behaviour.

Answer:

This information is not available to my department;

District councils are encouraged to use all legislation at their disposal to deal with the blight of dilapidation. The 1978 Order is only one of a number of pieces of disparate legislation currently available to councils, much of which dates back to the 19th century and / or applies to specific geographical areas and is limited in its scope and effectiveness.

Subject to Executive approval, I intend to introduce a Dilapidation Bill to the Assembly this year. The Bill will consolidate and enhance the existing legislation and improve councils’ cost recovery abilities.