Whalley Range Councillors Support Drive to Tackle Empty Homes

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 5th Oct 2006

The Lib Dem Councillors for Whalley Range have campaigned hard against empty properties

"It is good to see properties which have been awful eyesores looking better, safe and secure and eventually back in use as residential accommodation. Our multi-agency approach is starting to bring results", says Liberal Democrat Councillor John Grant.

Residential property that is left empty deteriorates, becoming an eyesore and a place for anti-social and criminal activity. It also takes housing out of the market, making it harder for people who want to live in the area to do so. Liberal Democrat Councillors were so alarmed with what they saw that they established regular meetings with council officers to keep the list of empty dwellings up to date and to examine the action plan on each property. The result of this multi-agency working, which also involves the police, is starting to become apparent as unsightly property is improved and secured, and eventually brought back as residential accommodation.

Liberal Democrat Councillor John Grant said:

"I was concerned to see buildings or character standing empty when we knew there were people looking for places to live. Property owners were apparently happy to allow buildings to deteriorate so they could demolish rather than renovate and restore. This was of particularly concern in the Whalley Range conservation area. Liberal Democrat Councillors called for regular meetings with council officers to get on top of this problem. Liberal Democrats have always supported Empty Dwelling Management Orders. The multi-agency approach we are using, which includes the police, is bringing results. Property owners must realise we mean business. We are not going to see unsecured empty property as places for anti-social and criminal activity. We are not going to see our area blighted with eyesores and we are determined to use all powers available to get property back in use as homes."

ENDS