Battle over 'nuisance' derelict house nears end

A derelict house, which has been "a nuisance" to its neighbours, is set to be bought by a council as a "last resort".

Plymouth City Council said despite the best efforts of its housing delivery team, the owner of the property in Whitsoncross Lane, Tamerton Foliot, refused to take the action required to bring the home back into use.

It said a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) was confirmed by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary in April which allowed the Devon authority to acquire the property for the provision of housing accommodation.

Once the CPO process is completed, the property would be auctioned, the council said.

The council began looking at a CPO on the site two years ago, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The owner of the home was originally contacted in May 2019 when the empty property was first reported.

The front and rear gardens were substantially overgrown and were causing a nuisance to the neighbours, council officials said.

They added: "The property itself is covered in ivy which is also growing inside the conservatory."

Matt Smith, cabinet member for housing, said he was "really pleased" the CPO process had reached its final stage.

"Not only will this allow the property to come back into use but it will also give neighbours a respite from the years of neglect," Smith said.

"Every empty property is a wasted home that could be lived in by someone who needs it.

"Bringing empty properties back to life is a crucial tonic for tackling the housing crisis in our city and I'm proud of the decisive action our housing team have taken."

Anyone who wanted to challenge the validity of the CPO can to apply to the High Court until 18 July under section 23 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981.

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