Corporation to compulsorily acquire Dublin Georgian houses

Dublin Corporation is to compulsorily acquire two endangered listed buildings on Henrietta Street in the north inner city. This is the first time power to compulsorily acquire property - contained in the Planning and Development Act 1999 - has been used.

Henrietta Street has been described by conservationists as one of the more important examples of a Georgian street of large-scale town houses to survive in Britain or Ireland.

The two houses, which are not adjoining, are owned by the landlords, Mr Ivor and Ms Marie Underwood, who own a considerable amount of Georgian properties in the city. The corporation was concerned that two houses on the street were at risk and were suffering serious structural defects needing prompt attention.

The corporation and the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr Dempsey, were using new powers contained in the Planning and Development Act to compulsorily acquire protected structures, where it appears necessary for the protection of the structure.

Where the owner objects to the acquisition, the local authority may not acquire the property compulsorily without the consent of the Minister.

The Minister said he had acceded to the corporation's request to acquire the houses as "the protection of our architectural heritage is a must for the streetscapes of the future. My decision on these applications demonstrates my commitment to preserve, for future generations, our valuable architectural heritage."

The owners will be compensated by the corporation.