Pendle Council takes enforcement action on long-term empty Nelson property

Enforcement action has been taken by Pendle Borough Council to ensure a long-term empty property in Nelson is brought back into use.

The action forms part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to improving housing standards, tackling neighbourhood decline and bringing vacant homes back into use. 

An inspection by the Council’s Empty Homes Officer in July 2025 found the property on Chapel Street to be in a poor state of repair.

The Council sought to work with the owner to ensure the property would be improved but despite repeated requests the work wasn’t done and the building continued to deteriorate.

As a result, the Council served a notice under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, requiring the owner to improve the appearance and condition of the property.

Although the owner indicated that improvement works would start, they were not completed and the property remained in breach of the notice.

The case was heard at Blackburn Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, October 7th 2026, where the owner explained why the work had not been carried out.

After considering the evidence, the Court imposed a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered the owner to pay prosecution costs of £424 and a victim surcharge of £26.

Councillor Asjad Mahmood, Leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “Bringing empty homes back into use is an important part of our work to create cleaner, safer and more attractive neighbourhoods across Pendle.

"We made every effort to work with the owner to address the issues at this property. Unfortunately, because the work wasn’t completed, we had no option but to pursue enforcement action through the courts. The owner has advised that the outstanding improvement works will be completed in the near future and we welcome that commitment. We will continue to monitor progress closely to ensure that this property can once again make a positive contribution to the local area."

Councillor Mohammad Ammer, Housing, Corporate and Performance Portfolio Holder added: "Long-term empty homes can have a significant impact on local communities. They often become eyesores, attract anti-social behaviour and can contribute to the decline of otherwise thriving neighbourhoods. At a time when housing demand remains high, it is important that residential properties do not stand empty and neglected.

"This prosecution demonstrates that we are prepared to take robust enforcement action where property owners fail to meet their responsibilities. We will continue to use the powers available to us to bring empty properties back into use and help improve neighbourhoods for residents across Pendle.”