Consultation launched on Empty Homes Strategy 2014-17

Shropshire Council is asking residents, businesses and any other interested groups or individuals for their opinion on the council’s proposed approach to tackling empty property in the county.

The draft of the council’s Empty Homes Strategy looks at why properties become empty, what advice and assistance is available to empty property owners, and how the council uses the range of powers available to it to return empty properties to use as housing for local people.  It also gives an understanding of the issues of empty property in Shropshire and how it impacts on local communities.

Empty homes are a national issue and it is estimated that there were around 710,000 empty homes recorded in England in 2012.  Over recent years the Government has recognised and prioritised the issue of empty properties, and is committed to getting empty homes back into use to contribute towards meeting housing need and the regeneration of local communities.

In 2012 just under 3.5% of homes in Shropshire were empty.  The number of registered empty properties was over 4,600, with over 1,700 of these being empty over six months.

The vast majority of these properties are privately-owned and are dispersed throughout the urban, semi-rural and rural areas of the county.

Between 2010 and 2013, the council has contributed to converting a range of empty properties into 233 new homes.

Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for planning and housing, said:

“Shropshire Council continues to be committed to reducing the number of empty homes within the county, and to facilitating and assisting the creation of good-quality and affordable accommodation for local people.  Much of the work outlined in the strategy is already underway and producing tangible results, and I am sure that the strategy will prove to be an investment to be proud of.”

The council’s empty homes team would be very interested to hear the thoughts and opinions of Shropshire residents, businesses and other groups on the new strategy.  The strategy can be viewed, and the survey done, on the ‘get involved’ pages of the council’s website shropshire.gov.uk.  Alternatively, a hard copy of the strategy and a feedback questionnaire can be requested via emptyhomes@shropshire.gov.uk or on 0345 678 9005.  The consultation closes on Saturday 20 September 2014.

Further information

Between 2010 and 2013, the figures for returning empty homes to use through Shropshire Council involvement were:

• Year 1 (2010/11) – 65
• Year 2 (2011/12) – 94
• Year 3 (2012/13) – 74