Considering the options

Date published: 19th October 2018

Empty Homes Week has given North Norfolk District Council an opportunity to share the work it is doing to tackle empty homes. Empty Homes Week is also the chance to celebrate successes and reflect on what more needs to be done to bring empty properties back into use to help meet housing needs. However, not all empty properties can, or should be brought back into use. Consideration for other options might be necessary,

This is the case for a property located in Cromer. A prefabricated detached bungalow had been left neglected for several years. The Council had received numerous complaints alluding to the presence of rats and neighbours were fed-up of living next to such a run-down, dirty site.

Intervention from North Norfolk District Council brought about a change in ownership and the new owner explored several options from refurbishment to demolition, eventually agreeing the details of a replacement home with Planning Officers.

The demolition required specialist handling and disposal of asbestos sheets but the cleared site is now being replaced with a modern detached family home that is expected to be completed in Spring 2019.

Tackling empty homes is as much about ensuring the re-use of brownfield sites as it is about refurbishing properties that are past their sell-by date. Both approaches are effective in reducing pressure to build new houses on virgin greenfield sites.