Speaking after Sammy Wilson announced rates to be paid for vacant properties North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said:
"It's completely immoral that so many properties are left vacant by speculators whilst homelessness reaches crisis levels.
“Nowhere is this more stark than in North Belfast. I very much welcome the finance Ministers plan to impose full rates on these empty dwellings as it will pressure owners to bring them into use.
"Communities are often plagued by anti-social activity which this dereliction attracts. Sinn Féin spends vasts amounts of time trying to hold these speculators to account for their properties when neighbours lives are ruined by everything from drinkers to fires.
"Whilst we have some concerns about a range of exemptions to this proposal, it is good news for our communities in the battle to regenerate and build community pride in our areas.
“Leaving land vacant whilst awaiting the next property boom now comes at a cost that many speculators won't be willing to face."
No comments:
Post a Comment