After more than 100 residents signed petition urging Council to take action

Hounslow Council have posted a Compulsory Purchase Order notice on a Devonshire Road property after more than 100 Chiswick residents signed a petition.

The petition which read '144 Devonshire Road, Chiswick, W4: This registered dangerous building has been empty and deteriorating for twenty years. Despite hundreds of emails to various departments since 2001, the Council have failed to check the building thoroughly and regularly for safety and bring it back into use. 144 is a blight on the local community and affects the amenity of the area. We, the undersigned, petition the council to progress the Compulsory Purchase Order and use all powers and laws available to enable this property to become a much needed home' was considered at Hounslow's Borough Council meeting under new its new petition scheme.

At its meeting in July 2010, the Council agreed a new scheme for dealing with petitions. Under the scheme, at the Borough Council meeting, the Mayor would introduce to members each petition received (unless the organiser or lead petitioner had expressed a wish to do so), invite the relevant Executive Member to propose a response, and then allow members to debate and determine how the council should respond.

The outcome of the discussion was that public notices to progress the compulsory purchase order would be posted and it was hoped that the premises would be returned to residential use within 18 months.
Borough Solicitor/Director of Community Services

A spokesman for Hounslow Council said: "A compulsory purchase order notice was affixed to premises. Objectors now have 28 days to raise an objection to the order which must be made in writing to The National Unit for Land Acquisition, Planning Division before 6th November 2010.

"If and when the Order is confirmed, the Council initially intends to identify a registered provider (formerly a Housing Association) to purchase the property to provide permanent social housing. However given the high value of this property and the cost of the refurbishment works it would be unlikely to attract a registered provider. We therefore envisage that the property be sold at a public auction on the condition that refurbishment works will start within six months from the date of purchase, and to bring the property back into use within 18 months from the date of purchase".

October 14, 2010