West Lindsey District Council Empty Homes Project
West Lindsey District Council is working on an enterprising and ambitious solution to help address the growing issues of empty homes. We have resources set aside to deliver a solution, which provides a variety of social and economic benefits to our residents, which has bringing homes back into use at its heart.
Trinity Street and Ashcroft Road “Cluster”
West Lindsey District Council is initially focussing on a cluster of empty homes around Trinity Street and Ashcroft Road in Gainsborough South West Ward, where 10% of homes are empty. While working with internal and external partners on the neighbourhood regeneration of this area, the housing team are focusing on bringing 100 empty homes back into use by March 2014. The team is hoping to offer empty property owners a range of solutions including:
- Sale to the council
- Lease and repair
- National empty homes loan scheme
- Advice and assistance to owners to fund and carry out works themselves
Where owners are not willing to engage with these schemes, the council will consider the use of its enforcement options including Housing Act notices, enforced sale, compulsory purchase and Empty Dwelling Management Order.
It is expected that bringing these homes back into use will, in addition to having a significant positive impact on the regeneration of this area, generate income through rental, resale and New Homes Bonus that can be recycled to tackle empty homes in other areas of Gainsborough and the District.
If you own a long term empty property in Gainsborough South West Ward, please contact the Empty Property Officer on 01427 675187 to arrange a property visit to discuss options and advice to bring the empty home back to use.
For more information please contact Andy Gray (Housing and Communities Team Manager) on 01427 675195 or e-mail andy.gray@west-lindsey.gov.uk or Hannah Cann (Empty Homes Property Officer) on 01427 675187 hannah.cann@west-lindsey.gov.uk
