Council Uses Power to Purchase in Battle Against Empty Houses (Manchester Liberal Democrats Online)

Manchester Liberal Democrats Online <info@manchester-libdems.org.uk>

Council Uses Power to Purchase in Battle Against Empty Houses

January 15, 2008 12:00 AM

Cllr John Grant sees his hard work tackling empty properties come to fruition

"I warmly welcome the council's plan to purchase two empty houses in Whalley Range so that they can become family homes once again. This is a first for our area but I expect others to follow", says Manchester Liberal Democrat Councillor John Grant. Whalley Range Councillor Grant has been working with the council's Empty Property Team over the last 4 years to use whatever measures are available to get empty houses back into use as homes.

The process can be lengthy and it can appear that nothing is being done. In certain circumstances the final step, when all else fails, is "compulsory purchase". This week's meeting of the Council's Executive committee will approve the compulsory purchase of 31 Russell Road and 2 Oakfield Ave.

Whalley Range Lib Dem Councillor John Grant, a member of the Executive Panel, said:

"I warmly welcome this action. We desperately need houses like these back in use as family accommodation in our area. They have stood empty for years; have had an adverse effect on their neighbours' houses as well as becoming eyesores. This is the final and ultimate pressure on the owner to do something. I hope owners of other empty properties will take note and realize that the council is determined to use all the powers it has to get houses like these back into use as homes. This is a first in our area but I expect we will see more."

ENDS