Bid to bring empty homes into use

Members of the public and property owners will be asked their views on the move, which is aimed at cutting the numbers of empty properties in the district, during a consultation will get underway next week.

Selby District Council wants to target homes that have been empty for a long time and those unlikely to return to use without intervention.

Coun Chris Metcalfe, member of the executive and lead member for communities, said: “There can be many complex reasons why properties are empty. This strategy would enable us to work with property owners and our partner organisations to address these reasons.

“Our aim is to ensure that our communities have access to the housing that they need.”

The policy is aimed at to identifying empty properties, raising awareness of the issue and working with owners to bring them back into use.

The consultation runs from Monday until August 4. To take part visit the council’s website and search for “empty homes strategy”.