Green Party councillor, Deirdre de Burca has strongly condemned the deteriorating condition of the old La Touche Hotel site in Greystones and has called on Wicklow County Council to implement the Derelict Sites Act in relation to the old hotel.

“It is quite disgraceful that the owner of the site who has planning permission to develop apartments has let this protected structure fall into such a state of disrepair” says de Burca. “The exterior of the building is covered in graffiti and the windows are broken and boarded up. Several small fires have been started in and around the building over the past year, and the place is becoming a real derelict site. It is not acceptable that such an important part of the heritage of Greystones can be slowly destroyed in this way. It is also having a negative impact on other properties on the Trafalgar Rd and surrounding areas”.

De Burca has called on Wicklow County Council to implement the Derelict Sites Act in relation to La Touche Hotel as a matter of urgency. She says that this Act allows local authorities to direct the owner of a site to carry out specific works to prevent the land from being, or becoming, a derelict site. She also points out that the Act empowers a local authority to acquire either by agreement or compulsorily, any derelict site situated within its functional area.

“Action must be taken immediately by the Council in relation to the old La Touche Hotel” says de Burca. “What is happening is disgraceful and the council cannot stand by and let this happen. I am calling on the council to intervene immediately using the Derelict Sites Act”.