Walsall Council tackles empty homes blight

Walsall Council says it is planning to compulsorily purchase some of the worst, abandoned houses in the town as part of tackling long-term empty properties.

Grants and loans have been available through the authority to help owners of empty homes bring them back into use since last April.

But six properties remain empty despite repeated attempts to work with the owners, a spokesman said.

Deputy leader Adrian Andrew said the homes, which have been empty for around five years, would appeal to first-time buyers.

"It could be a good opportunity for first time buyers in order to take a property on like this and do them up.

"Particularly someone who is handy or a local builder."

There are currently 1,055 empty homes in Walsall, figures from the Empty Homes Federation show.