Harrogate Borough Council
Menu
Nine Homes Restored to Use
AFTER eight years of negotiation, the threat of
compulsory purchase by the council has finally led to a property
trust renovating seven properties in Knaresborough and two in
Harrogate, part of a portfolio of properties it owns in the
district.
These long-term vacant properties were situated within
residential areas of the two towns and led to many complaints over
the years both from local ward councillors and
residents.
Harrogate Borough Council's housing and estates team spent
many hours negotiating with agents for the property owners,
trustees based in the North East, to get the properties repaired
and re-occupied. Protracted negotiations failed
to persuade the owners to carry out the necessary work and it was
only the council's decision taken last year to invoke its
compulsory purchase powers that led the trustees to take
action.
Nine properties have now been returned to the district's
housing stock and re-occupied. These include properties in Kings
Road and Heathfield Drive, Knaresborough and Olive Grove,
Harrogate.
Councillor Jean Butterfield, Cabinet Member for Housing,
said: "Our determination to take legal action
when it became clear that negotiation wasn't having any results,
has been rewarded. Our district has a distinct
lack of affordable homes and it was criminal that these perfectly
good properties were being left to go to rack and ruin, as well as
blighting residential areas, because the trustees could not be
persuaded to look after their properties.
After years of neglect, these houses have finally been
refurbished and will make wonderful homes for families to
rent. They are a very welcome addition to the
range of housing options available in the town."
A report will shortly be going to the Cabinet Member for
Housing seeking the suspension of the compulsory purchase
proceedings. ENDS
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Councillor Jean Butterfield is available for comment on 01423
770381. Further technical information is
available from Mr Les Williamson, Director of Community Services on
01423 556846