North Northamptonshire Council is moving forward with a new plan to bring approximately 400 long-term empty properties back into use across the area, including in Wellingborough. The proposal will be considered by the council’s Executive on Tuesday 12 May 2026 at 10am at the Corby Cube.
The Empty Homes Strategy 2026-2030 aims to tackle houses that have been left vacant for more than two years. The council intends to use a variety of methods to encourage owners to bring these buildings back to life, including the potential use of Compulsory Purchase Orders, Empty Dwelling Management Orders, and enforced sales. These steps are designed to help reduce housing shortages, improve street environments, and increase the supply of affordable homes.
The council is taking this action as a matter of best practice, as there is no legal requirement for local authorities to monitor or return long-term empty properties to use. Residents were consulted on the plan and expressed broad support, acknowledging that such properties can cause blight in local neighbourhoods and attract anti-social behaviour.
The issue is of particular relevance to Wellingborough, which has been identified as a priority area for regeneration. A separate masterplan for the Wellingborough town centre is currently being developed, and this strategy is intended to support broader efforts to improve the community. The meeting on 12 May 2026 will be available for the public to watch via a live stream on YouTube.
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