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Action on empty homes blight
HOUSING chiefs in Barnsley are to launch a project aimed at reducing the "neglect, waste and blight" caused by the increasing number of private homes that have been left empty.
In some cases it could result in the compulsory purchase of empty homes deemed to be causing a problem for neighbours.
A new study, which will be presented to Barnsley Council's ruling cabinet next week, shows there are about 3,000 vacant houses across the borough in private ownership.
About half of these have been empty for more than six months and council bosses have proposed employing a dedicated empty homes officer to target owners of these premises.
In a report to the cabinet officers say: "The headline figures for empty homes only begin to tell the tale of neglect, waste and blight that is the reality for some communities.
"The consequences of too many homes remaining empty for too long are many and include additional pressure on waiting lists for local authority housing and wasted opportunities for the owner. They are also a focus for vandalism, fly-tipping, arson, serious crime and anti-social behaviour and deterioration of the property may cause damage to neighbouring properties."
The report also says that empty properties become "eyesores" which potentially lower the value of surrounding properties and start a spiral of economic and social decline.
A recent survey is quoted which shows that a property next to an empty house sells for 18 per cent less than one that is occupied, and concerns are also raised about the impact on local businesses.
Two groups of people are blamed for the increase in empty homes – those who are unwilling or unable to spend money on repairs and so called "buy-to-leave" investors, who have bought new homes and relied on increases in the property market rather than troublesome tenants to make them cash.
The first job of the council's empty homes officer, to be paid about 24,000 a year, would be to complete the authority's draft empty homes strategy and draw up an action plan. Housing officers hope this will allow them to begin working on meeting targets set by the Department of Communities and Local Government, which demands a reduction in empty homes.
Once the strategy is complete, the officer will then contact the owners and offer them "the most appropriate remedy" to the situation, which could include advice on repairs or help with marketing the property.
If all other avenues fail the council will then consider taking legal action, which could result in compulsory purchase orders on houses that are causing problems in their neighbourhoods.
The report concludes: "Local areas can suffer from the presence of long-term empty homes and will benefit from their return to use. Crime and disorder can often go hand-in-hand with the presence of empty homes. A reduction in the number of long-term empty properties is likely to see a reduction in anti-social behaviour such as fire-lighting."
Council cabinet members will be asked to approve appointment of the officer and extra funding for empty homes work at a meeting at Barnsley Town Hall at 10am on Wednesday.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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