BURNLEY Council has revealed plans to buy up 13 properties around the borough using compulsory purchase order powers.

Council bosses say these properties are long term vacant properties, being empty, in one case, for over 20 years.

It is feared without intervention by the council through acquisition by agreement or CPO the properties may remain vacant, continue to deteriorate, attract anti-social behaviour, flytipping and arson, all of which cause fear in local residents, resulting in a declining neighbourhood.

Negotiations for the acquisition of the properties have not yet commenced on the majority of the properties as no contact has been received from the owners.

If the owners do contact the council efforts will be made to purchase the properties by agreement.

So far, the council has bought, refurbished and re-sold or let more than 130 homes through its empty homes programme.

And if its latest plan is approved,

In a report to go before the executive next week, project officer John Killion said: "The majority of the cost associated with the programme are made up of two elements; buying the property and the renovation cost.

"We can reasonably assume, given past experience, that the selling prices for the properties above would vary from between £45,000 to around £125,000 once renovated.

"We can also assume that we would need to spend around £30-35,000 renovating the properties.

"Any receipts generated from the sale of properties will be recycled back in to the programme to enable the purchase and renovation of more problem properties."

Two properties in Willow Street, as well as ones in Cog Lane, Casterton Avenue, Branch Road, Cleaver Street and Netherby Street are all identified as possible purchases by the council.

Homes in Albert Street, Elmwood Street, Godiva Street, Hollingreave Road, Accrington Road and Gannow Lane have also been targeted as part of the programme.

As well as private sale, the purchased properties could also be sold off to social housing firm Calico Homes.

Mr Killion added: "Negotiations for the acquisition of the properties have not yet commenced on the majority of the properties as no contact has been received from the owners.

"Where owners contact us, we will work with them to reach an agreement for bringing the property back in to use preventing the need for a CPO.

"If agreement cannot be reached satisfactorily, the council will use the CPO power as a last resort to ensure the property is brought back in to use."