Derelict Chiswick Property To Be Renovated After Twenty Years
Council CPO spurs action on property seen as "blight on the community"
A run- down terraced property in Chiswick which locals described as “ a blight on the community “ for several years will be brought back into habitable use following intervention by Hounslow Council.Over 100 residents in Devonshire Road signed a petition two years ago calling on the Council to take action as the property had been derelict for twenty years.
The Council applied for a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO)to take ownership of the property to bring it back into use. But a new owner, who has inherited the property, has signed a legal agreement with the council to refurbish and bring the property back into use by February 2013. A planning application has been submitted.
Cllr Steve Curran, cabinet member for education and housing, said “Neighbours have been complaining about this property for years, and despite promises it remains in its uninhabitable state. By obtaining the CPO we now have the power to take ownership of the property, but we hope the fact we have done this is enough to spur the owner into action.”
It is understood that the property has now been inherited by a family member of the original owner, who has promised to take action on restoring the house.
Councillor Curran added that the Council planned to bring up to 250 empty properties across the borough back into use by 2016.
The Devonshire Road property currently comprises a derelict ground floor commercial unit and a 2 bedroom first floor flat. It has been uninhabited for years, and has been the subject of a petition to the council and numerous complaints from nearby residents.
Hounslow Council has a 5 year Empty Property Strategy to help tackle the problem of long term empty properties in the borough. In the past two years the Council has brought nearly 100 empty homes back into use.
“If there is not a valid reason for a property being empty, the council will explore the options available to us such as enforced sale, empty dwelling management orders or CPO. Whilst the council would not hesitate to use these powers, the preferred approach is to help owners of empty properties bring them back to use themselves “, said Cllr. Curran.
For further information on the help available, visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/empty_properties
March 14, 2012
