To seek Cabinet approval to resolve to Compulsory Purchase Order for the property known as 2 Overross Farmhouse, 26 Overross Farm, Ledbury Road, Ross on Wye, Herefordshire HR9 7BN under powers contained under Section 17 (1) (b) of the Housing Act 1985 as amended, and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 and all other enabling powers for housing purposes.

The Cabinet Member Environment, Housing and Planning presented the report to Cabinet.  The following points were made during discussion:

·         Cabinet received photographs which indicated the poor state of repair the property was in. 

·         The owner of the property had not carried out any renovations to the property despite help and encouragement from officers.

·         Cabinet was informed that officers were requesting the compulsory purchase of the property, as it was the only way forward to resolve issues for residents in the area and before the property became beyond repair.

RESOLVED

              THAT:

a)    Herefordshire Council resolve to Compulsory Purchase Order the property known as 2 Overross Farmhouse, 26 Overross Farm, Ledbury Road, Ross on Wye, Herefordshire HR9 7BN in order to bring the property back into residential use;

b)    the Assistant Director of Law Governance & Resilience be authorised to:

·            execute a General Vesting Declaration should the Compulsory Purchase Order be confirmed.

·       to the vesting of the property into Council ownership, subsequently offer the property for sale, with terms of sale to include covenants that the house is improved to Decent Homes Standards within a specified timescale.

c)    the Chief Officer Financial and Commercial be authorised to:

·         recover such administrative and other charges incurred in any purchase and subsequent sale of the property as permitted by the Compulsory Purchase regulations, together with any other outstanding charges on the property.