Pendle council's plans for the compulsory purchase of 162 terraced homes in Lancashire's Nelson West – the 19th worst ward in England for housing deprivation – was scuppered by a planning inquiry in January after English Heritage opposed demolition of the houses.
But now deputy prime minister John Prescott has asked for the inquiry to be reopened to consider three points concerning "the collapse of the housing market and the high vacancy rate" in the ward.
The council has already bought 100 properties at an average cost, including compensation and legal bills, of less than £16,000, with some houses bought for just £3500. Vacancy rates within houses covered by the compulsory purchase order run at 20% but are 50% in the area as a whole.
The homes are pre-1919, mainly two-up, two-down with small bedrooms and kitchens and front doors opening into the living room. Few people want to live there. Some homes are on sale, unsold, for £5000.
"Anybody with a salary and a mortgage can buy a new home, complete with fitted carpets, kitchen and white goods, for £35,000," Pendle's executive director of housing Janet Bradbury explained. "With population decline we can't see any way attitudes will change."
A spokesperson for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said: "There is a dilemma in these areas in that you have these nice, attractive properties protected by English Heritage that people in London would snap up but that nobody there wants. Do you build something less attractive from an aesthetic point of view that people want to live in?"
The council's plans range from single-bedroom bungalows to four double-bedroom detached and semi-detached houses with parking and open green spaces.
English Heritage said: "We are disappointed the secretary of state did not accept the planning inquiry's recommendation."
Source
Housing Today
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