Tory MP concerned with ‘empty homes paradox’

Published by Julien Tremblin for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government, Local Government

A Conservative MP has expressed concern over an "empty homes paradox" which is seeing thousands of new homes being "pushed through" by a council when 11,000 properties in its area are empty.

Conservative Member of Parliament for Colne Valley Jason McCartney urged the House of Commons for a debate on empty homes amid concerns that developments are given the go-ahead by local authorities instead of bringing empty homes back into use.

He said: “There is a real paradox in my local council area in that while the council is pushing through its top-down housing targets for tens of thousands of new homes, there are 11,000 empty homes. Local people find that very hard to explain when the countryside is being dug up for new homes.”

Sir George Young, leader of the House of Commons, said: “As a former Housing Minister, I share my honourable Friend’s concern. There are about 350,000 empty houses in this country, which is an affront to those who are waiting for good housing.

"I commend the work of the Empty Homes Agency. In addition, the new homes bonus will apply also to local authorities that bring back into use homes that are currently empty, and other money is available within the local government budget to encourage local authorities to bring homes back into use. I commend my hon. Friend’s work on this issue, and I hope that all local authorities will do all they can to bring empty homes back into use.”

Housing Minister Grant Shapps announced last year that the New Homes Bonus scheme - which will reward councils with cash equal to the average council tax band on each additional home - will also include properties brought back into use.

Last month, Communities Minister Andrew Stunell outlined plans that could see councils enforce higher council tax rates on homes that have been empty for more than two years.