17/06/2008
Vacant House 'Tax' Could Boost Derry Coffers
One of NI's largest councils is eyeing up well over £1m in additional income by targeting empty houses.
Derry City Council believes that it could raise £1.5m a year by imposing 100% rates on empty houses.
With the double benefit of encouraging owners of empty properties to turn them over for occupation, the move follows a Department of Finance and Personnel consultation with councils across Northern Ireland.
The proposal introduced by the former NI Finance Minister, Peter Robinson, outlined details of his review of domestic rates which included an announcement of a new 'tax' on both derelict land and empty houses.
The Maiden City currently has more than 2,500 vacant properties in its council area, with a spokesperson from Derry City Council noting that they were currently preparing a response to the review of domestic rating public consultation.
Details of the far-reaching review of the Northern Ireland rating system were initially announced in November last year.
Mr Robinson - who is now NI First Minister - said that he planned to rate empty homes at 100% to encourage their use - as a potential boost for those seeking homes - possibly by 2009, and that he expected a derelict land tax affecting mainly old industrial areas around Belfast by 2010.
See: Empty House 'Tax' Should Boost Housing Market
(BMcC)
Derry City Council believes that it could raise £1.5m a year by imposing 100% rates on empty houses.
With the double benefit of encouraging owners of empty properties to turn them over for occupation, the move follows a Department of Finance and Personnel consultation with councils across Northern Ireland.
The proposal introduced by the former NI Finance Minister, Peter Robinson, outlined details of his review of domestic rates which included an announcement of a new 'tax' on both derelict land and empty houses.
The Maiden City currently has more than 2,500 vacant properties in its council area, with a spokesperson from Derry City Council noting that they were currently preparing a response to the review of domestic rating public consultation.
Details of the far-reaching review of the Northern Ireland rating system were initially announced in November last year.
Mr Robinson - who is now NI First Minister - said that he planned to rate empty homes at 100% to encourage their use - as a potential boost for those seeking homes - possibly by 2009, and that he expected a derelict land tax affecting mainly old industrial areas around Belfast by 2010.
See: Empty House 'Tax' Should Boost Housing Market
(BMcC)
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13 March 2017
Pensioner Chases Intruders In West Belfast
A pensioner has fought off intruders who attempted to rob her home in west Belfast. The incident happened at a house in the Springfield Park area at around 2am on Sunday, 12 March. Two men, one armed with a screwdriver, entered the rear of the property however the woman, aged in her 70s, managed to stop them from getting any further.
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A pensioner has fought off intruders who attempted to rob her home in west Belfast. The incident happened at a house in the Springfield Park area at around 2am on Sunday, 12 March. Two men, one armed with a screwdriver, entered the rear of the property however the woman, aged in her 70s, managed to stop them from getting any further.
21 November 2016
Police Appeal After Two Men Attempt To Rob Shop In Carrickfergus
Police are appealing for information after two men attempted to rob a shop in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim. The men, one armed with a hammer, entered the shop on the Victoria Road at around 6.20pm on Saturday, 19 November, and demanded cigarettes and money. The pair were wearing hooded tops and had their faces covered.
Police Appeal After Two Men Attempt To Rob Shop In Carrickfergus
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29 July 2015
Nine Murals To Be Removed In East Belfast
Nine paramilitary murals are being removed and redesigned in a major reimaging project in east Belfast. Charter NI secured £30,000 funding from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's Community Cohesion budget to oversee the project in the Lord Street area.
Nine Murals To Be Removed In East Belfast
Nine paramilitary murals are being removed and redesigned in a major reimaging project in east Belfast. Charter NI secured £30,000 funding from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's Community Cohesion budget to oversee the project in the Lord Street area.
04 February 2015
Police Appeal Over Three Armed Robberies
Police are appealing for information following three armed robberies in north and west Belfast on the evening of Tuesday 3 February. At about 19:55 it was reported that a man believed to be armed with a suspected firearm entered a convenience store on the Crumlin Road while another man stayed outside.
Police Appeal Over Three Armed Robberies
Police are appealing for information following three armed robberies in north and west Belfast on the evening of Tuesday 3 February. At about 19:55 it was reported that a man believed to be armed with a suspected firearm entered a convenience store on the Crumlin Road while another man stayed outside.
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