Wolverhampton bungalow to be reclaimed after being empty for three years

The bungalow on Beechwood Drive, Wolverhampton, was empty for three and a half years, the council said

Steps are being taken by Wolverhampton Council to reclaim a bungalow that has been empty for three and a half years.

The detached property, in Wightwick, is privately owned but the council has been unable to establish who owns it.

The property on Beechwood Drive will be acquired through negotiations or a Compulsory Purchase Order.

Once regained by the council, the property will be put back on the housing market and brought back into residential use. 

The decision supported the council's "Empty Properties Strategy", which aimed to bring long-term empty homes back into use.

A report to the council's cabinet resources panel, due to approve the acquisition on 13 December, said the previous occupier left in July 2020 to move to Staffordshire,

Neighbours try to maintain site

Conversations were held with the previous resident who was urged to seek legal advice over the ownership but did not take legal action, officials said.

The report claimed neighbours made efforts to maintain the bungalow in the meantime by regular work on the front garden.

But the property continued to deteriorate and there were concerns about security and how dilapidated it was

A notice was served under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 which required the owner to take action to improve the bungalow.

But there was no response and nothing happened to restore the building, the report said.

The reoccupation of empty properties brings in extra income to the council through a "New Homes Bonus", paid to local authorities as a result of increased housing supply.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.