A local authority has started compulsory purchase proceedings to buy a boarded up and vandalised empty home.

The two-storey semi-detached house is at 122 Fecitt Brow in Blackburn.

It has been empty since February 2005 and is in serious disrepair.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's development boss Cllr Quesir Mahmood has authorised officers to start work on a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to acquire the privately owned house as part of the council’s Empty Property Strategy.

In a report to colleagues he says: "This pre-World War WII semi-detached property is situated in the Blackburn South East ward and is set in a row of similar homes on both sides of the road.

"The property comprises two living rooms plus a kitchen situated on the ground floor with three bedrooms and a bathroom at the first floor level.

"The gardens are overgrown with trees overhanging into the neighbour’s garden at the rear. These trees are now causing damage to the conservatory roof next door.

"Currently, the property stands obviously empty with the front door boarded over due to previous vandalism.

"Numerous and repeated complaints have been received regarding its condition and the related anti-social behaviour issues which are having a negative impact on the surrounding area.

"This long term empty property was first inspected by the empty properties team on August 12, 2015, when attempts to open a dialogue with the owner began.

"Dialogue finally began in April 2019 when the responsible party explained he was executor for the deceased owner (his former mother-in-law) but probate had not been applied for due to the ill-health of a family member.

"It was agreed that the responsible person would give consideration to his options regarding the future of the property, which included a sale to the council by agreement, sale on the open market or full refurbishment within an agreed timescale.

"He was also advised that no action on his part would result in enforcement action by way of compulsory purchase.

"Despite this agreement he neglected to contact the Empty Properties Officer with a proposal as requested.

"On June 20, 2023, a letter was sent advising that council approval to make a compulsory purchase order would be sought.

"Once acquired, the property will be offered for sale via a local estate agent to the highest bidder with preference given to buyers who intend to occupy the property once renovated."