Islington News: Whitecross Street | Compulsory Purchase Order | Vacant | Terry Stacy

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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 16 January 2009

Cllr Terry Stacy

‘Eyesore buildings’ face compulsory purchase

NINE vacant and dilapidated buildings on Whitecross Street could be subjected to a compulsory purchase order (CPO).
The properties have been vacant for two years and previous attempts to reoccupy both commercial and residential parts of the buildings by council officers and the landlord proved fruitless.
Councillor Terry Stacy, executive member for public protection, said: “These empty buildings are a blight for neighbours and a waste of shop space and valuable housing, which Islington is crying out for. The council is determined to take action to sort these buildings out for residents.”
If approved by both the council’s executive and the department for communities and local government, the CPO order would effectively put the buildings in the council’s hands.
The council has outlined plans to sell the properties on to a residential social landlord, housing association or private developer with the understanding of creating permanent social housing.
Chair of the EC1 New Deal for Communities Matthew Humphreys said: “These buildings are a real eyesore and stand out more than ever now. We want to see them done up and put to good use.”

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