LIB DEMS call to bring EMPTY HOMES back into use

11.49.06am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 23rd Aug 2006

Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell is calling for Britain's empty homes to be brought back into use to tackle the housing crisis.

"I have scores of cases on my books of local people desperate for a home, but at the same time we have too many empty and derelict homes that are causing a nuisance to the local community. There are currently 700,000 homes that have been empty for more than 6 months across the country, and yet we have a national housing shortage. Bringing empty homes back into use would not only help the local area, it could also ease housing shortages and pressure on our Green Belt, as well as cutting the unnecessary carbon emissions that are produced by building new homes instead of using existing properties."

Mr Stunell was speaking at the launch of a new Liberal Democrat campaign to identify problem empty homes.

"Empty homes cause numerous problems for communities by attracting vandalism, anti-social behaviour and devaluing neighbouring properties."

"Identifying and dealing with empty homes can save unnecessary development and its associated environmental costs. Using empty homes could help cut carbon emissions of up to the equivalent of 16 million cars."

"If local residents are worried by a nearby empty dwelling that is causing problems in their area, attracting vandalism and other social nuisances please report it so that they can be dealt with by the Council."