The owners of several abandoned houses in Derry, including one which has lain empty for eight years, have been called on to take responsibility for the properties.
The call comes after derelict houses in both the Fergleen Park and Galliagh Park areas of Galliagh were blamed for triggering an upsurge in anti-social behaviour in the area.
In the most recent incident, on Sunday night youths who had been storing bonfire materials at a an abandoned property in Galliagh Park lit a fire on a nearby green and shouted abuse at residents who attempted to intervene.
The property in question has lain empty for the past eight years, with neighbours growing increasingly frustrated in their efforts to have the owner either restore the property or hand it over to a housing association.
The independent councillor for the area, Warren Robinson, said a neighbouring property was also damaged due to the materials being stored at the empty house.
Cllr Robinson said the derelict houses have now become a ‘magnet for anti-social activity’, and called on those who own the properties to take action immediately.
It comes just a week after Derry City and Strabane District Council responded to a new consultation aimed at giving tougher powers to local council to deal with dilapidated and dangerous buildings.
“These properties have now become a magnet for anti-social activity and this is causing huge distress to those living in nearby houses,” Cllr Robinson said.
“There is a real fear that one of these properties could be set on fire and the consequences are unthinkable."
He added owners of the houses have a duty to the community to bring the properties back into use.
"These owners have a responsibility to local residents and to the wider community,” he said.
“We will not allow a situation where absent landlords allow their premises to be a focus for negative behaviour in our area.
“There are too many people living nearby who love this area, who love their homes and their community and all they want is to live in peace.”
Under the current legislation, council has the authority to serve a notice on the owner of a building or structure that is considered to be seriously detrimental to the amenities of the neighbourhood.
Under this notice, the owner is given a reasonable period of time to carry out works of repair or restoration deemed necessary or take appropriate steps to demolish and secure the site/building.
Failure to comply with the requirements of the notice within the specified time could result in a fine of up to £2,500.
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