Cornwall Council has agreed to buy an empty house so that it can be brought back into use.

The council’s Cabinet agreed to buy the property in Redruth using compulsory purchase powers so that it can either renovate and reuse the home or sell it so that it can be used as a house once again.

Full details of the location of the property have not been released but the council said that it had been “long-term empty”.

A report to Cabinet stated: “Redruth is a key settlement with evident local housing need, and the aim is to facilitate bringing the empty property and associated land back into habitable use, while also alleviating associated problems and community concerns.”

It adds that the house could be brought back into use by the council or one of its partners and said that there had already been interest shown for reuse of the home.

It states: “The property has been empty for a considerable number of years and is the subject of persistent community concerns due to its dilapidation and attraction of crime and antisocial behaviour [it is understood to have been occupied by squatters and vandalised; and the associated land is substantially

overgrown and is attracting fly-tipping].”

The report also revealed that there are more properties which could be purchased by the council.

It says that there are “two further tranches of around five properties” which will be brought to the Cabinet for decision in 2021.

Council officers explain: “Currently, there are around 3,000 empty homes in Cornwall, although the number is dynamic and fluctuates due to market forces and other factors.

“Most homes are empty for only a short period, as there is considerable ‘turnover’, with many owners having a reasonable plan of action to bring them back into habitable use. Whilst most homes come back into use without intervention by the council, a number remain and the Empty Homes Team works to encourage and help owners to unlock their potential, including through advice and assistance, e.g. the Council’s Empty Property Loan scheme.

“There is, however, a significant number of persistently empty and complex and difficult to resolve cases which are the focus of enforcement action.”

Cornwall Council cabinet member for homes Andrew Mitchell said: “When what could be a perfectly good family home is left to rot, we are determined to step in and take action.

“We’re continuing with the carrot approach by offering help to empty homeowners to bring their property up to scratch, but today’s decision shows that, where necessary, we will use the stick.

"This is a clear message to other empty homeowners that if they won’t work with us, we’ll step in and take action to compulsorily purchase the property.”