Selaine Saxby, MP for North Devon, seeks support to help tackle empty homes and derelict buildings.
Last week in Westminster North Devon’s MP asked the Leader of the House, The Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP about Council powers to repurpose derelict buildings. Selaine expressed concern at how long it is taking across North Devon to convert derelict properties into much needed homes. Such buildings include The Sands in Instow, the Oliver Buildings in Barnstaple and disused hotels in Ilfracombe.
Selaine Saxby MP for North Devon said:
“I am aware that North Devon Council have an empty homes strategy but that some councillors struggle to get our council to act on enforcement. Following on from the question in the House of Commons, I have checked the Brownfield Land Register for North Devon and have written to the Housing Minister to facilitate a meeting with Homes England on this issue to see what more can be done. I wrote to North Devon Council in 2021 about addressing empty homes and whilst I appreciate, they have strategies, I think what the people of North Devon want is visible action.
“Our sole Empty Homes Officer has done some good work in bringing individual properties back into use, but I was disturbed to find on our Brownfield Register that the Old Lace Factory on Derby Road, publicly owned, still does not have planning permission on it. While councillors’ rail against housing developments on green field sites, in some cases justifiably, you would think having declared a housing crisis that local councillors would have prioritised utilising this site, to have pushed for action. To have a site like this that could provide 75 homes in the heart of Barnstaple that has not progressed since 2017 seems tragic.
“I know that North Devon Council need additional resources, be that money or staff and I will do all I can to help. We need to prioritise developing sites like the Old Lace factory, Seven Brethren, The Oliver Buildings, The Sands and re-purposing derelict hotels in Ilfracombe and elsewhere.”
