Maidenhead & Windsor

A pair of derelict and potentially dangerous semi-detached houses, at 19 and 21 Exchange Road, Sunninghill, has been acquired by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead under a compulsory purchase order made in 2006.

One of the houses has been empty for about 12 years and the other for nine years. Both properties have suffered from subsidence and the gardens have regularly been used for dumping rubbish and household waste. There has been a long history of complaints relating to overgrown gardens, rats and mice, unauthorised access, theft of architectural features and vandalism.

Prior to taking possession, the Windsor and Maidenhead council entered into negotiations with the owner and secured an agreement that he would renovate the properties and bring them back into habitable use. The work was never completed and the houses continued to deteriorate and blight the area.

Cllr Derek Wilson, lead member for planning and housing, said: "These houses have deteriorated to the point of being dangerous and it is now a difficult choice whether to restore the existing buildings or to demolish and rebuild."

He added: "We use compulsory purchase orders only when every other avenue has been exhausted, but this action underlines our commitment to bring long-term empty and derelict homes back into use."

Cllr Alison Knight, councillor for Sunninghill and South Ascot ward, said: "These houses have long been a source of discontent for neighbouring residents. If we had not taken this action, we would have been letting them down."

The council has put the properties on the market through Halifax Estate Agents in Ascot (01344 627666) and Waterman Residential in Maidenhead (01628 777880). Prospective purchasers will be requested to submit sealed bids, to be opened on Monday April 7.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead