Cornwall Council says it is offering a range of assistance for owners of empty properties – whether empty existing properties or empty non-residential properties – to be converted into new homes.
The council said that empty properties are a wasted resource which could be used for much needed homes – they can be an eyesore or cause other problems if they deteriorate.
Cornwall has a high housing need with many market pressures – and in addition to planning for new housing development, the council is working to bring empty properties back into residential use, to help meet housing requirements and raise housing standards.
Assistance offered to owners of empty properties includes low-cost loans, access to leasing schemes, VAT reduction/refund evidence and free pre-application planning advice.
Cornwall Council has an established Empty Homes Team, which it says has helped bring hundreds of empty properties back into habitable use – the council says it prefers to communicate and engage with owners of long-term empty properties, to encourage, assist and enable them to bring their properties back into habitable use through voluntary co-operation.
However, should co-operation not be forthcoming – and owners do not demonstrate reasonable plans and timescales for bringing properties back into use – the council may, where appropriate, intervene and use relevant enforcement powers to ensure a satisfactory resolution, including improvement in the condition and re-use of the properties.
Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors
Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise on a wide range of housing law, including advising developers and self builders on planning permissions and planning appeals.
There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and our housing team is also able to advise on: