Legal proceedings have been instigated against the owners of a partially built property development on Dunfield Terrace in the Waterside area of Derry.
SDLP councillor Sean Mooney informed the full meeting of council that he had received an update from officers after councillor Christopher Jackson raised the matter.
For many months the boarded-off site had been the subject of concerns and complaints from locals as it had become a hub for young people and the scene of anti-social behaviour. In June this year, a fierce fire engulfed the four derelict properties.
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Addressing the hybrid chamber, the Sinn Féin councillor said: “I know this item has been discussed at council before and was subject to a notice of motion.
“I would just like to highlight to council that following a very serious fire at those abandoned buildings there had been engagement between council and the owners of the site and the messages that have been fed back to myself as a local elected representative was that the site would be cleared and a time frame was given within weeks.
“Mayor, that was months ago and there hasn’t been any clearance of the site and the residents are still living with that dangerous structure that could fall at any time.
“The site is boarded up which actually presents a greater danger because there could be young people who are gathering around that dangerous structure and the residents can’t see in to identify the dangers they could be in.
“I want to draw council's attention to this yet again and ask officers to have a look at it again and engage with the owners and take whatever action we can take to make this site safe.”
Adding he would like to see the site cleared as soon as possible for the local residents, SDLP councillor Sean Mooney added: “It was my motion that was brought to council about this and like Councillor Jackson, I have been corresponding with the local community and residents on this matter.
“It is frustrating that this site hasn’t been cleared, especially after the fire in June and like Councillor Jackson we have all been trying to move this on.
“My last update from council officers was that legal proceedings have been instigated in relation to the site and that was from the start of the week.
“We would hope the owners would engage, come on and clear the site and take the necessary measures.”
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