Decision details

To consider the draft South Holland District Council Derelict and Untidy Sites Policy.

That the draft Derelict and Untidy Sites Policy be approved.

The recommended policy is founded on having an informative, meaningful, consistent and flexible approach to seek to deal with derelict and untidy sites to compliment traditional enforcement action).

·         Do nothing – the Council could decide not to adopt a policy and manage issues on a site-by-site basis based on good practice.  Whilst it would continue to do this, having a wide-ranging policy with actions set out would provide a clear and concise reference point for officers, ward councillors, residents and business owners when seeking to address matters relating to derelict and untidy sites;

·         To adopt an enforcement only based policy rather than a policy document that covered wider issues.  A more comprehensive policy setting out a wide range of matters in addition to enforcement was considered by officers as a good way of setting out, in a single document, a broad range of options for dealing with derelict and untidy sites.  This included process for reviewing assets, monitoring sites, liaison with landowners and also how officers could approach the acquisition of certain assets if there was a viable business case to do so;