Two properties in Houghton Regis have caught the attention of Central Bedfordshire Council as being among the top 10 in urgent need of action within the authority's jurisdiction.
A recent report presented to the Social Care, Health & Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee highlighted the first property, referred to as "Property A," which has remained vacant since at least 2004. The report describes it as having a detrimental impact on the immediate neighbourhood and attracting numerous complaints. The owner is believed to be abroad, potentially in France. The property is in a state of disrepair and has suffered from incidents of arson, vandalism, and fly-tipping. Moreover, the owner has failed to pay the council £3,695 for environmental restoration work.
The second property, identified as "Property E," has been empty since at least 2005, with the owner believed to be in residential care, although their whereabouts are unknown. The report warns that the condition of the property is deteriorating, making it susceptible to anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping.
To address the issue, Central Bedfordshire Council submitted a bid for £200,000 from the £100 million fund allocated by the Coalition Government in the Comprehensive Spending Review of October 2010. On March 2, 2012, the Home Communities Agency confirmed their intention to enter into a contract with Central Bedfordshire Council for the full amount.
Councillor Susan Goodchild, the Liberal Democrat representative for Houghton Hall at Central Beds, attended the meeting and expressed her delight at the funding award. She believes that bringing these eyesore properties back into use will provide a much-needed boost to the local community. With the waiting list for council properties significantly increasing, she emphasizes the importance of repurposing long-term vacant houses for families in need.
