Almost £30,000 has been spent securing and maintaining vacant properties in Anfield over the past four years.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request, seen by the ECHO, has shown that Liverpool Council has spent £29,395 maintaining and securing eight properties it bought in 2018 in L4, that remain empty almost four years on.
Further correspondence from the local authority seen by the ECHO, indicates that Liverpool Council is looking to dispose of the properties later this year.
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In 2019, the council said it had a plan for “an exciting and innovative scheme” that would deliver refurbishment of the vacant lots.
A total of eight properties on Bala Street, Stonehill Street and Westcott Road were purchased by the City from Your Housing in 2018, for a value of £205,750, according to the FOI sent to property developer Oli Walsh.
They have stood vacant after being part of a group of 21 houses sold by the housing association in a series of sales, with Mr Walsh purchasing the additional 13.
Emails shared by Mr Walsh with the ECHO show that an internal review by council officers found “the best interests of the Council would be served by not retaining any of the houses itself, and it should look to dispose of the properties.”
The email, from Nick Flanagan, of Liverpool Council’s Property and Asset Management Service, said any decision on the future of properties would have to be taken by the authority’s cabinet and it was unlikely this would occur before May this year.
The disposal of the houses would follow shortly after that, the email said.
Mr Walsh, managing director of Revilo Properties, said he remained disappointed by the lack of progress on the homes.
He said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if another three years went by before something happens with these houses.
“The best use of taxpayers’ money would be to put them back into use via a sale or an auction. I wish we’d have bought them all initially.
“The longer they’re left vacant, it attracts rats and mess, existing residents feel forgotten about. It’s just unreal.”
Previously, Liverpool Council had said it sought to make the area sustainable through restoration of the properties.
The council said it is looking into the matter.
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