East Riding Council buys empty home in Bridlington as many remain vacant
It's approved buying 39 Darwin Road
East Riding Council is set to buy two empty homes in Bridlington and Market Weighton to bring them back into use as around 1,500 remain vacant.
East Riding Council’s Cabinet approved buying 39 Darwin Road, Bridlington and 11 Princess Road, Market Weighton through Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs).
Council leader Cllr Jonathan Owen said the CPOs knocked two homes off the estimated 1,500 left empty long-term.
Cllr Claire Holmes, cabinet member for housing, said homes left empty for long period were frustrating for their neighbours who looked after their properties.
It comes as a report to the cabinet stated the 1,500 East Riding homes which have stood empty for six months are among a total of 4,100 vacant properties.
Those vacant for six months or longer are classed as long-term empty homes.
Council estimates in 2019 put the number of new affordable homes needed in the East Riding at 5,280 until 2039, when the Local Plan currently being drafted expires.
The two bedroom, semi-detached bungalow the Cabinet approved a CPO for in Bridlington was first confirmed as empty in 2015.
It has since fallen into disrepair and is plagued by overgrown pants, blighting the wider area and prompting six complaints in recent years according to the report.
The council tracked down the owner in 2019 and sent six letters to them before getting a response saying they wanted to bring it back into use.
The owner failed to respond to a further eight letters so the council got a warrant to inspect the building in June and then valued it.
The CPO approved for 11 Princess Road, Market Weighton is set to see the council buy a three bedroom, two storey house.
It has stood empty since it was registered with its current owner in May 2015 and plants around it have since overgrown and it remains partially renovated.
The owner told the council he was going to finish the renovation in 2019 and again in 2020 but they did not respond to further letters up to this year.
A warrant allowed the council to inspect and value the home in June.
Council housing lead Paul Bellotti said the CPOs were being used after exhausting options with their current owners and amid high demand for housing in the East Riding.
He added homes left empty for long periods could attract antisocial behaviour and cause other nuisances to neighbours.
Cllr Holmes said CPOs would always be used as a last resort as the council preferred owners to bring homes back into use themselves.
The portfolio holder said: “But one can only imagine what it must be like for someone who takes pride in their home to look at one that’s empty that they have no control over.
“It must be frustrating for someone if they have a home like that in their area.”
Council leader Cllr Jonathan Owen said the use of CPOs was right in this case.
Cllr Owen said: “It’s two properties down and 1,498 to go.”