New council role aims to tackle empty properties

BRIDGEND County Borough Council is looking into recruiting a dedicated empty properties officer to tackle “the blight” of hundreds of empty homes across the county.

As of December 2017, there were 1,233 private sector residential properties which had been empty for six months or longer.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on May 15, Councillor Norah Clark said: “The long-term empty properties are of a concern especially where there are no plans to bring them back into use.

“Half of the properties had been empty for six to 12 months and a third had been empty for two years or more and it is these properties which are of a particular concern.

“Empty churches and chapels are also a consideration as they could be converted into residential accommodation - there are currently 18 derelict churches and chapels across the county borough, the majority of which are in the valley areas.

“These are the reasons why the scrutiny committee believes that in order to progress this growing problem the council should engage a dedicated empty properties officer.”

Cabinet members said they shared the ambition to tackle the problem of empty homes and asked officers to look into the plans in more detail.

Council leader Huw David said funding had already been allocated for the officer.