Compulsory Purchase to Tackle Empty Homes (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Compulsory Purchase to Tackle Empty Homes

June 6, 2008 11:53 AM

Councillor Tracy Ismail inspecting the state of the empty house on Mercers Road

Islington's Liberal Democrat leaders agreed the compulsory purchase of a derelict property in North Islington, and will bring it back into use as affordable housing. Local residents and ward councillors are delighted that this eyesore house will be improved and renovated.

The property, a 1919 terraced house on Mercer's Road N19, has been derelict and uninhabitable for five years. Sporadic and incomplete repairs only served to annoy neighbours, and residents of the street have made complaints to the council about the property.

The Council leadership have ordered the use of compulsory purchase powers, and the property will be sold to a registered social landlord to repair and improve it, and bring the house back into use as social housing.

Councillor Terry Stacy, executive member for Housing, said:

"The Lib Dem council in Islington has been increasing the amount of housing here year on year, and bringing derelict properties back into use is one of the best ways of doing this. The new London Mayor has identified 80,000 properties across London that are currently uninhabited, so compulsory purchase could really help ease the city's housing issues."

Local ward councillor for St. George's, Councillor Tracy Ismail, said:

"It's been an eyesore for as long as I can remember, and boarded up for virtually the whole time I've lived in Islington. Derelict homes bring a street down, so renovating this house and making it habitable again will make Mercers Road an even nicer place to live for everyone."