Liberal Democrats launch campaign to tackle nuisance properties

3.45.01pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 14th Aug 2006

Local Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign to tackle this issue of abandoned properties causing a nuisance in Bradford District. There are estimated to be over 1663 abandoned properties across the area and 419 in Bradford North.

The drive is part of a national Liberal Democrat campaign to tackle the problem of empty homes.

Councillor David Ward, chair of the Bradford North Area Committee said:

"We need community action to identify properties that are attracting crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

We can then report these properties to the council so that they can be dealt with appropriately, either by being secured or refurbished and released for people who desperately need housing in the area.

There is one property opposite the Idle Working Mens Club which has stood empty for years and must be a blight on the lives of people living nearby.

The Council also loses about £1.4m a year in Council Tax not collected from empty homes. "

Liberal Democrat housing Spokesperson Dan Rogerson MP said:

"I am delighted that the Empty Homes campaign is being taken up in Bradford

"Nationally there are more than 100,000 households in temporary accommodation, and 1 in 10 children live in overcrowded accommodation. Yet there are more than 700,000 empty homes waiting to be filled."

Anyone wishing to report an abandoned home that is causing a nuisance should contact Councillor David Ward on 07885 579986.