Staffordshire Moorlands District Council

COUNCIL officials have broken into an abandoned, eyesore house as a first step towards bringing it back into use.

Accompanied by police, housing officers from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council entered a property in Coronation Avenue, Knypersley on Wednesday (May 12) after its owners had left it empty and in disrepair for years.

The break in happened after magistrates had granted the council an Interim Empty Dwelling Management Order that gave it control of the dilapidated house. The order will enable the council to repair the property and then find someone suitable to live in it.

The council is one the first 25 local authorities nationwide and the only one in Staffordshire to have used the new powers granted by the order.

Said Cllr Andrew Hart, portfolio holder for housing and regeneration: "Empty homes can cause a nuisance to a neighbourhood, attracting vandalism and vermin.

"We're committed to tackling the shortage of affordable housing in Staffordshire Moorlands by bringing empty houses back into use.

"Empty dwelling orders and other enforcement measures are a last resort and we much prefer to work with owners by giving them the help they need to ensure properties are not left empty.

"However, we have wide-ranging enforcement powers that we bring to bear on those owners who allow their property to remain empty and blight the local area", he warned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABANDONED: The front of the derelict house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 BREAK IN: A police officer looks on as a housing officer gains entry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

EYESORE AND HEALTH HAZARD: The lounge of the derelict house.

Anyone concerned about a long-term empty home in their neighbourhood should call the council's housing standards team on (01538) 395504.

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