Recycling and waste collections - There will be no collections on Monday 31 August, as a result all collections will be one day later than usual until Saturday 5 September.
Bringing Empty Properties Back into Use
Our Approach to Compulsory Purchase Orders
The council is committed to reducing the number of long-term empty properties across the county borough and bringing homes back into use for the benefit of our communities.
As part of this work, the council has successfully secured a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for a long-term empty property. We recognise that this may prompt questions from residents about why this particular property has been prioritised and why similar action is not being taken elsewhere.
The council is committed to reducing the number of long-term empty properties across the county borough and bringing homes back into use for the benefit of our communities.
As part of this work, the council has successfully secured a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for a long-term empty property. We recognise that this may prompt questions from residents about why this particular property has been prioritised and why similar action is not being taken elsewhere.
A Compulsory Purchase Order is not a quick or straightforward process. Before an Order can be made, the council must undertake extensive investigations, gather evidence, engage with owners and explore all reasonable alternatives. If the council decides to pursue a CPO, affected parties have the right to object and the case is then subject to independent scrutiny.
The final decision does not rest with the council. Welsh Ministers must decide whether the Order should be confirmed and may refuse it if they are not satisfied that there is a strong enough public interest case. This means that even after years of work, there is no guarantee that a CPO will succeed.
The process is therefore resource-intensive, often taking several years and requiring significant officer, legal and financial commitment. In this case, the process took approximately three years to complete and was only made possible through dedicated officer resources and Welsh Government funding.
For these reasons, it is neither feasible nor appropriate to pursue a CPO for every empty property.
The council's Empty Homes Strategy sets out how we identify, assess, and prioritise empty properties for intervention.
Each case is considered on its own merits and assessed against a range of factors, including:
- How long the property has been vacant.
- The condition of the building.
- The impact on neighbouring residents and the wider community.
- The likelihood of securing voluntary action by the owner.
- Opportunities for funding, regeneration, or redevelopment.
- The costs, risks and resources associated with intervention.
- The likelihood of achieving a successful outcome.
This risk-based approach helps ensure that limited resources are targeted where they can have the greatest impact and deliver the greatest benefit to local communities.
While there are many empty properties across the county borough, not every property is suitable for compulsory purchase action.
Before progressing a CPO, the Council must be satisfied that:
- Reasonable attempts have been made to engage with the owner.
- Other options have been explored.
- There is a clear public benefit in intervention.
- The property can realistically be brought back into use.
- The use of compulsory purchase is reasonable, proportionate and justified.
The property selected met these criteria and presented a clear opportunity to deliver positive outcomes for the local community
Residents may ask why action is being taken in one town or community rather than another.
Our approach is not based solely on location. Instead, we assess individual properties against strategic priorities, available resources and the likelihood of achieving a successful outcome. Opportunities to pursue enforcement action, including CPOs, often depend on factors such as ownership circumstances, property condition, funding availability and legal considerations.
As a result, different communities may see different interventions at different times.
Looking Ahead
Long-term empty properties can have a significant impact on neighbourhoods, local housing supply and community confidence. Bridgend County Borough Council is committed to taking a more proactive and ambitious approach to tackling empty properties and bringing them back into use.
Whilst enforcement powers remain an important tool, our first priority is always to work collaboratively with owners to secure a positive outcome. However, where properties remain vacant for prolonged periods and attempts to achieve voluntary action have been unsuccessful, the Council will consider the use of all available powers, including compulsory purchase.
Compulsory Purchase Orders will continue to be used selectively and only where justified, but the Council is clear that long-term empty properties cannot be allowed to remain unused indefinitely when there are opportunities to return them to productive use, regenerate communities and help address local housing need.
No. Compulsory purchase is a lengthy, complex and resource-intensive process which is only appropriate in certain circumstances and where there is a clear public benefit.
Properties are assessed in accordance with the council's Empty Homes Strategy and prioritised based on factors such as risk, community impact, deliverability and available resources.
The council will continue to consider all available options for bringing empty properties back into use, including the use of compulsory purchase powers where appropriate and justified. However, each case must be assessed individually and there is no guarantee that a CPO will be suitable or successful.
Yes. Information provided by residents helps the Council understand the impact of empty properties on local communities and can assist in informing future priorities and interventions.
Yes.
We understand that properties can become empty for many reasons, including inheritance, financial difficulties, health issues, family circumstances, or uncertainty about the property's future.
Our preferred approach is always to work constructively with owners to bring properties back into use wherever possible. Early engagement often helps identify practical solutions and support that may prevent the need for formal enforcement action.
If you own an empty property and are unsure of your options, we encourage you to contact our Empty Property Officer. We can discuss your circumstances, provide advice and explore potential solutions to help bring the property back into use.
Where appropriate, we can also arrange an in-person meeting to discuss the property and identify a way forward.
Report an empty property
An empty property is a private sector residential property which has been unoccupied for six months or more.