New campaign on derelict properties
The blight of long-term derelict and unoccupied properties typically targetted by squatters is under attack in Carmarthenshire.
The county’s executive board is invoking an 85-year-old law to tackle problems associated with private sector empty or derelict properties.
They heard the properties attracted anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, vandalism as well squatting.
The executive board approved changes to the authority’s constitution to tackle the problem.
This allows legal, planning, housing and public protection officers to instigate the necessary action to bring about enforced sales or disposal of the properties blighting the county under the Law of property Act 1925
County Councillor Pat Jones welcomed the decisive action saying her community of Burry Port had long suffered from neglected, empty properties.
She said: “This will be wonderful news for people in Burry Port especially for neighbours of such properties who not only have to put up with the stigma of living next door to disgracefully unmaintained homes but all the public health and anti-social issues associated with such dereliction.”
County head of housing services Robin Staines in a report said the threat of enforced sales procedure was often sufficient to encourage owners to pay any outstanding debts or sell their property precluding the need for council intervention.
Now such properties will be speedily sold through public auction but could even be sold to a preferred partner or via private treaty at market value. All costs of disposal would be recovered and the remaining proceeds of sale held in trust in an interest bearing account until the owner made a claim.
The Council has used Compulsory Purchase Orders to being back derelict or long term, empty properties into use but it was a lengthy and unpredictably process.
County executive board member for Housing & Social Care , Cllr Hugh Evans,said: “This new procedure will help achieve sustainable communities as well as encouraging property owners to act responsibly benefiting the whole of Carmarthenshire.
“It will help reduce the negative and often detrimental effect these properties have on a neighbourhood and help release much needed housing to the community.“
The county’s executive board is invoking an 85-year-old law to tackle problems associated with private sector empty or derelict properties.
They heard the properties attracted anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, vandalism as well squatting.
The executive board approved changes to the authority’s constitution to tackle the problem.
This allows legal, planning, housing and public protection officers to instigate the necessary action to bring about enforced sales or disposal of the properties blighting the county under the Law of property Act 1925
County Councillor Pat Jones welcomed the decisive action saying her community of Burry Port had long suffered from neglected, empty properties.
She said: “This will be wonderful news for people in Burry Port especially for neighbours of such properties who not only have to put up with the stigma of living next door to disgracefully unmaintained homes but all the public health and anti-social issues associated with such dereliction.”
County head of housing services Robin Staines in a report said the threat of enforced sales procedure was often sufficient to encourage owners to pay any outstanding debts or sell their property precluding the need for council intervention.
Now such properties will be speedily sold through public auction but could even be sold to a preferred partner or via private treaty at market value. All costs of disposal would be recovered and the remaining proceeds of sale held in trust in an interest bearing account until the owner made a claim.
The Council has used Compulsory Purchase Orders to being back derelict or long term, empty properties into use but it was a lengthy and unpredictably process.
County executive board member for Housing & Social Care , Cllr Hugh Evans,said: “This new procedure will help achieve sustainable communities as well as encouraging property owners to act responsibly benefiting the whole of Carmarthenshire.
“It will help reduce the negative and often detrimental effect these properties have on a neighbourhood and help release much needed housing to the community.“
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