AQO 3421/22-27

Mr Brian Kingston
Democratic Unionist Party
North Belfast

Tabled Date: 26/03/2026
Answered On Date: 21/04/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to outline any assessment that has been made of the environmental impact of long-term derelict properties, particularly in urban areas.

Answer:

A 2018 Ulster University study commissioned by my department sought to quantify the scale of the problem of dilapidated buildings here both in terms of property numbers and the costs of remediation.

This was followed by a 2019 study for the Scottish Land Commission on the impact of vacant and derelict land on communities overall. This study highlighted long-term negative impacts of dereliction including: anti-social behaviour; population decline; poor health outcomes; degraded local ecosystems; increased pollution risks; reduced investment; and depressed regeneration activity.

Other studies have flagged increased fire risk and reduced footfall as well as a correlation with reduced wellbeing, lower community cohesion and reduced neighbourhood satisfaction.

The Dilapidation Bill which I am currently progressing has an important role to play with regard to public health, avoidance of danger, visual amenity, tourism, regeneration and the reduction of anti-social behaviour by giving district councils modern and robust powers to deal with the scourge of dilapidation.