CARMARTHENSHIRE TACKLING DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS

Carmarthenshire planners have discussed how the local authority deals with dilapidated properties including buildings of historic interest.

The county council recently convened a joint meeting of its Community Scrutiny and Planning committees to receive a report relating to the monitoring of an Action Plan (including recommendations) from a Task and Finish Review that had been carried out in relation to Enforcement issues.

Councillors discussed how the authority seeks to deal with the dilapidated properties within its boundaries, whether this be seeking to bring dwellings back into beneficial use, or looking at how it advises owners of buildings of historic interest on how to positively manage such buildings.

Members were advised that issues of ensuring the site was secure remained the responsibility of the owner, although the authority would investigate if there were concerns that a building could be classed as dangerous as defined under the relevant Building Act.

It was noted that management of properties falling into disrepair could, potentially, fall under different legislative frameworks, Building, Planning, Housing, Heritage Acts, depending on the nature of the specific site.

It was agreed that a further update report be provided to members before the end of the year.

Planning committee Chair Cllr Alun Lenny said: “I’m grateful for the work that Cllr Anthony Jones and other members of the Task and Finish Group put into preparing this Action Plan. Taking Enforcement action against owners of buildings for planning or environmental reasons can take a lot of officer time and cause considerable frustration to local members.

“The dilapidated condition of many buildings, ranging from old churches to houses that have been vacant for many years, is a source of great concern to the council and public alike.

“Empty houses are a blight and can have an adverse effect on the appearance of a street. Larger semi-derelict properties such as chapels and churches can pose a threat to public safety, but getting the private owners of such properties to take action can prove very difficult and may involve costly legal steps by the local authority.

“On the other hand, I’m delighted to see that the council is taking a proactive approach by bringing empty houses back into use – 135 over the past year alone. Although the process can be a lengthy and costly one, turning an empty house back into a home is a win-win result. It increases the housing stock, saves on building land, creates jobs for local companies and improves the street scene.”

Task and Finish Group Chair Cllr Anthony Jones said: “I’d like to thank the Task and Finish Group members and council officers and partners for their work in looking thoroughly at the range of planning enforcement issues.

“We have made 23 recommendations to evolve our enforcement work to assist communities that feel the impact of planning issues.”