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 ...