Council plans to compulsory buy empty March bungalow targeted by youths

A council has taken the unusual step to start the £160,000 compulsory purchase of a property in March which has stood empty for many years.

It was agreed by Fenland District Council’s cabinet back in March this year to buy Willow View – previously known as Holly Cottage – in The Chase, March at the market value after an officer’s report outlined why it was needed.

That report explained there had been numerous attempts to engage with the family of the property’s deceased owner, but despite this, there had been no progress in confirming ownership of the dormer bungalow, which dates back to Victorian times.

Now a public notice has been published in today’s Fenland Citizen stating the council’s intentions to ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities to allow it to make a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and urging anyone with objections to write to the Secretary of State before September 27 giving reasons why Fenland should not be allowed to proceed.

A report to the council’s cabinet on March 18 outlined why the compulsory purchase was necessary.

It said: “The council has been unable to resolve bringing a long-term empty property at The Chase, March back into use for many years. This has included taking enforcement action and incurring costs in doing so.

“The property has been subject to community complaints with regard to anti-social behaviour as well as environmental concerns relating to its deterioration on a popular walkway in the town.”

The anti-social behaviour included break-ins of the property, which lies on The Chase which links Gaul Road and West End Park.

The council’s problem properties working group had determined that all other powers to resolve the issues at the property and to get it back into use would not help resolve the situation.

This was mainly because the family had not requested probate from the late owner’s estate.

A CPO, said the report, will enable action to be taken to get the property back into use, as well as to recover the costs incurred by the council through an agreed option, which could either include selling it immediately or refurbishing it.

The council had been trying for over five years to secure a realistic action plan to bring the property back into use but without success.

The report said: “In considering the council’s commitment to bringing empty homes, particularly those with a long-term empty status, back into use, this case is a key member priority and in considering the attached options, it is no longer appropriate to continue pursuing a voluntary solution.

“There is no indication that any further delay to CPO action would be beneficial, and it is therefore not in the public interest, particularly since the property has already been empty for several years.

“Consequently, CPO is the only realistic option and is both appropriate and necessary as a last resort, to ensure that the property is returned to beneficial use within a reasonable timescale. Without the intervention of the council, the property will remain empty for an unknown length of time.”

The council will be liable for various legal costs including paying an expert in CPOs, land registry and searches, advertising, a locksmith to allow access to the home, Stamp Duty and surveyor’s and solicitor’s fees.

The value of the property will be made nearer the time of the purchase.