Compulsory purchase route may be taken on derelict properties

Council will move to impose compulsory purchase orders on derelict properties.
Council will move to impose compulsory purchase orders on derelict properties.

COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDERS could be used to take control of vacant or derelict building that blight local communities.

That was the decision taken by members of the planning and regulatory services committee at Moray Council on Tuesday after Councillors were told that 18 properties or areas of land had been identified as having an impact on local amenities.

The identified buildings includes homes, former factories or industrial and commercial properties in various locations throughout Moray. Members were told that the properties impacted on local amenities and inhibited economic growth.

“In cases where owners cannot be traced or are deceased with no clear beneficiary, it may be necessary for the council to proceed with a compulsory purchase order to resolve the situation,” members were told in a report.

The report added: “Where it is not possible to identify an owner there are special procedures to follow and each case will be different.

“For any property where a CPO is promoted, the process is quite complex and costly but in some cases it may be the only way to achieve a positive outcome.”

Councillors were told that regular updates on progress on the identified properties would be reported back to the committee.

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