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Herefordshire Council has adopted a new strategy to breathe life into disused buildings by helping turn them into much needed residential housing.
The Empty Property Strategy sets out plans for how the Council will assist in bringing Private Sector empty properties back into use.
Over the past three years the Council has helped private owners to renovate 134 units of disused accommodation, bringing them up to a standard to meet local housing needs.
The strategy includes provisions for Empty Property Grants, Purchase Schemes, Government Funding, Leasing Schemes and Enforcement Measures.
The grants are available to all owners whose property has been empty for more than six months and the amount can be up to £20,000 depending upon circumstances.
All types of empty properties will be considered including non-residential buildings.
Although Herefordshire’s amount of empty properties is lower than the national average they remain a wasted resource in an area with high housing demand.
Sue Fiennes, Director of Social Care and Strategic Housing, said: “Empty properties are a wasted opportunity and this document sets out clearly how empty properties are to be dealt with in Herefordshire.
“Empty properties are a key priority for the Council’s Strategic Housing Service and where owners are unwilling to receive assistance from the Council, other legal options will be considered.
“I would encourage any owners of empty properties to contact the Council for advice and assistance.”
On average, around 1,500 properties across the County have been empty for six months or longer. The majority are empty for less than 12 months but a proportion would have been empty for over five years.
The new strategy is informative, user-friendly and covers all aspects relating to empty properties both locally and nationally.
It sets out plans for tackling the County’s empty properties up to 2005, and the strategy will be monitored and revised annually to make sure it continues to be effective.
For further information, or to receive a copy of the Empty Property Strategy, please contact Claire James, Senior Empty Property and Enabling Officer, Strategic Housing Services, Garrick House, Widemarsh Street, Hereford HR4 9EU
Telephone (01432) 261905
Or e-mail: cljames@herefordshire.gov.uk
New Life For Old Buildings
Herefordshire Council has adopted a new strategy to breathe life into disused buildings by helping turn them into much needed residential housing.
The Empty Property Strategy sets out plans for how the Council will assist in bringing Private Sector empty properties back into use.
Over the past three years the Council has helped private owners to renovate 134 units of disused accommodation, bringing them up to a standard to meet local housing needs.
The strategy includes provisions for Empty Property Grants, Purchase Schemes, Government Funding, Leasing Schemes and Enforcement Measures.
The grants are available to all owners whose property has been empty for more than six months and the amount can be up to £20,000 depending upon circumstances.
All types of empty properties will be considered including non-residential buildings.
Although Herefordshire’s amount of empty properties is lower than the national average they remain a wasted resource in an area with high housing demand.
Sue Fiennes, Director of Social Care and Strategic Housing, said: “Empty properties are a wasted opportunity and this document sets out clearly how empty properties are to be dealt with in Herefordshire.
“Empty properties are a key priority for the Council’s Strategic Housing Service and where owners are unwilling to receive assistance from the Council, other legal options will be considered.
“I would encourage any owners of empty properties to contact the Council for advice and assistance.”
On average, around 1,500 properties across the County have been empty for six months or longer. The majority are empty for less than 12 months but a proportion would have been empty for over five years.
The new strategy is informative, user-friendly and covers all aspects relating to empty properties both locally and nationally.
It sets out plans for tackling the County’s empty properties up to 2005, and the strategy will be monitored and revised annually to make sure it continues to be effective.
For further information, or to receive a copy of the Empty Property Strategy, please contact Claire James, Senior Empty Property and Enabling Officer, Strategic Housing Services, Garrick House, Widemarsh Street, Hereford HR4 9EU
Telephone (01432) 261905
Or e-mail: cljames@herefordshire.gov.uk