Two derelict properties could be compulsorily purchased by Plymouth City Council as part of a crackdown on empty homes.
An empty property is a wasted home that could be lived in by someone who needs it. There are not enough houses in Plymouth and so bringing empty properties back to life is a crucial tool for tackling the housing crisis in our city.
In Plymouth, empty homes officers are proactive and engage with the city’s most troublesome empty homes all year-round. They not only offer advice, guidance and financial assistance, but also have the option of enforcement as a last resort.
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The two properties, one in Holdsworth Street, Pennycomequick and the other in Whitsoncross Lane, Tamerton Foliot, are in a serious state of disrepair and despite the best efforts of the council’s Housing Delivery team, the owners have refused to take the action required to bring them back into use.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities, said:
“Bringing empty homes back into use is a crucial part of our fight against the national housing crisis.
“There are thousands of families in need of a home at the moment so it’s really pleasing to begin the process of bringing these two properties back to the market.”
The property In Pennycomequick has been empty since August 2010 when the owner passed away while the one in Tamerton Foliot has been empty for more than 10 years.
