Council under attack over '˜scandal' of empty homes

The figures, uncovered through Freedom of Information requests, show that there are 467 homes across the district that have been empty for six months or more.

Of these, 168 had been empty for two years or more, 77 for five years plus, and 24 have stood empty for at least 10 years.

Wealden Lib Dems’ parliamentary spokesperson Chris Bowers said: “We are as keen to tackle homelessness as anyone else, but unlike other parties we have stressed that we can’t build our way out of trouble – we have to ensure existing buildings are made maximum use of as well.”

Councils have the power to make Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMO) to take over properties that have been empty for at least two years. Wealden District Council has yet to issue one EDMO, said the Lib Dems, despite the fact that some local families spent Christmas without a home.

Nationally only 19 of the 247 councils in England and Wales that responded (the powers do not apply in Scotland) had used an EDMO in the past five years. Of these only six had used one in the past year.

Mr Bowers added: “At a time when the homelessness crisis is worsening, more and more people are sleeping out in the cold on our streets, and vast swathes of greenfield land are being given over to new housing.

“It is a scandal that so many homes that already exist are sitting empty across Wealden. These homes could be turned into affordable places to live for those that need it.

“The