Issue - meetings

This report recommends the adoption of an Empty Property Strategy to further encourage owners of empty properties to bring their properties back into use.

The Committee

(1)            Agreed to the adoption of the Empty Property Strategy as set out in Annex 3 to the report.

(2)            Approved in principle the creation of an Empty Property Fund, the details of which will be subject to a further report to the Committee.

Officers received a report detailing a proposed Empty Property Strategy compiled with the intention of encouraging owners of empty properties to bring them back into use. 

It was recognised that lack of housing within the borough created demand that far outstripped supply, subsequently placing additional pressure on the housing stock available with the result of driving up house prices and rent. 

The potential for using Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) was discussed and it was noted that whilst other avenues would be explored before considering a CPO it was a realistic option and there was evidence that it had worked effectively for other boroughs.  Furthermore it was agreed that in order for policies to work effectively it was important to bring all the parties together to agree a cohesive course of action having awareness of and access to all the tools that were available to support to the process.

Having considered the Empty Property Strategy and the list of available enforcement powers, the Committee;

(1)            Agreed to the adoption of the Empty Property Strategy as set out in Annex 3 to the report.

(2)            Approved in principle the creation of an Empty Property Fund, the details of which will be subject to a further report to the Committee.