Councillor owns share in property due to benefit from Preston empty homes scheme

One of the previous empty homes back into use for affordable rented homes

A property partly-owned by a Preston city councillor will form part of the Making Homes from Houses Project to provide a ‘much-needed’ larger home for a family as they’re in short supply.

The city council’s current partnership with Community Gateway Association aims to bring long term empty properties back in to use as affordable rented homes.

As the owners of those properties agree to sell them, they receive the financial benefit from the sale.

No details are given about the specific property or who the councillor is who owns a share.

In a report to the cabinet member for planning and regulation councillor David Borrow, the director of development and housing explained how the idea came about: “The property is question is owned by three people, one of whom is a Preston city councillor.

“The councillor in question approached the Council’s Empty Homes team to enquire whether the property could be included and brought back into family occupation once purchased and renovated by CGA, on the basis that it would provide an affordable home.

“The owners could in theory sell the property on the open market at a higher price, given it is a larger property with the potential for it to be converted into a House in Multiple Occupation.”

The reason for approval stated in the report: “The purchase and renovation of this property will be very beneficial. An empty property will be renovated to a high standard and subsequently let at an affordable rent.

“As this house also happens to have four bedrooms; it will provide a much-needed larger home for a family on the Council’s Select Move waiting list. Larger homes are very much in short supply.”

Preston City Council’s Director of Development and Housing, Chris Hayward, said: “Under the Making Homes From Houses Project, anyone who owns an empty property in Preston can contact the team to apply for inclusion into the scheme. If a property is eligible, it will provide a much-needed affordable home for a family.”

To provide affordable homes, Preston City Council use S106 developer contributions.

The decision was approved and came into force on Friday 5 May.