Pendle Borough Council successfully prosecutes owners of long-term empty properties

This is part of its ongoing commitment to improving housing standards, tackling neighbourhood blight and bringing vacant homes back into use. 

The Council's Empty Homes Officer, Simon O’Hara, identified a long-term vacant property on Pine Street, Nelson, which had remained unoccupied for several years.

Following an inspection in September 2025, the property was found to be in a poor state of repair.

Sarah Whitwell, Head of Housing and Environmental Health for Pendle Borough Council, said: “We made repeated attempts to engage with the owner and requested that improvement works be carried out but these requests were ignored.

“As a result, we served two formal notices* requiring the owner to carry out the work and to declare their interest in the property.

“Unfortunately, these notices were also ignored.”

Despite further efforts by the Council, the owner failed to take the required action and additional inspections confirmed that the condition of the property had not improved.

On Monday 1 June 2026, the owner was prosecuted at Burnley Magistrates' Court for failing to comply with the notices.

The court imposed a fine of £660, together with costs of £491.90 and a victim surcharge of £264 - a total financial penalty of £1,415.90.

Meanwhile, the Council has also successfully prosecuted the owner of a long-term empty property on Pasture Lane, Barrowford.

Sarah added: “The property had remained unoccupied for more than 1,000 days when it was first inspected by the Council's Empty Homes Officer in October 2025.

“During the inspection, the house and surrounding garden were found to be in a poor and neglected condition, adversely affecting the appearance of the local area.”

The Council sought to work with the owner to secure improvements and requested that maintenance works be carried out to both the property and its grounds.

When the improvements were not completed the Council served a Section 215 Notice under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 requiring the work to be done.

Although some work was carried out, follow-up inspections confirmed that a significant amount of the required work remained outstanding.

On 20 May 2026, the owner was prosecuted at Blackburn Magistrates' Court for failing to comply with the notice.

The court imposed a fine of £120, together with costs of £237 and a victim surcharge of £48, resulting in a total financial penalty of £405.

Councillor Asjad Mahmood, Leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “Empty homes continue to present challenges across Pendle.

“Long-term vacant properties can contribute to neighbourhood decline, attract anti-social behaviour, and represent a wasted housing asset at a time when housing demand remains high.

"Taking enforcement action where necessary demonstrates our commitment to improving neighbourhoods, supporting residents and ensuring that property owners meet their responsibilities.

"Bringing empty homes back into use remains an important part of the Council's wider regeneration strategy and our efforts to create cleaner, safer and more attractive communities across Pendle.

“We will continue to use our enforcement measures to put pressure on these landlords to make the necessary improvements.”

Notes to editors

*The notices served in relation to Pine Street, Nelson were Section 215 Notice under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 requiring works to improve the condition of the property, and a notice under Section 16 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 requiring the owner to declare their interest in the premises.