Restoration Project in Burnley Reclaims Over 900 Abandoned Houses for Utilization
In Burnley, a northern English town, a decade-long effort to combat long-term property vacancies has yielded impressive results. The local council's strategic approach, centred around the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) and a focus on sustainability, has seen the number of empty homes halved since 2009.
Since the launch of the Empty Homes Programme in 2004, Burnley Borough Council has returned 992 properties to use, significantly reducing the borough's vacant property count from over 3,200 in 2009 to approximately 1,724 as of October 2024 [1]. This reduction was primarily achieved without relying heavily on public subsidies, demonstrating the cost-efficiency and sustainability of the programme.
One of the key tools in addressing long-term vacancies has been the use of CPOs. Burnley Council has employed CPOs under Section 17 of the Housing Act 1985 to acquire long-term vacant individual houses, enabling them to be brought back into residential use. This approach helps overcome owners’ inaction and facilitates regeneration initiatives by transferring ownership to parties capable of refurbishing and reusing the properties [4].
The revitalization of an empty property can address the "broken window syndrome," fostering a sense of pride and community, and encouraging neighboring homeowners and landlords to take better care of their properties. The transformation of a single empty property can enhance the street's appearance, reduce crime, increase property values, and attract new residents or businesses, creating a more vibrant and cohesive neighbourhood [2].
In January 2025, Burnley's Council Executive approved four additional CPOs targeting long-vacant properties. Lukman Patel, the Council's Chief Executive, emphasized the transformative impact of bringing a single empty property back into use [3].
Burnley's efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Council is responsible for over 20% of all CPOs issued in England since 2019, and the success of the Empty Homes Programme is regarded as a practical model within the broader context of UK housing policy focused on increasing housing supply and regeneration.
Meanwhile, in London, social housing wait lists have reached a 10-year high, underscoring the need for similar initiatives in other parts of the country. The focus on sustainability in Burnley's renovations, creating energy-efficient homes that reduce energy costs for residents, also offers a blueprint for reducing carbon emissions in housing across the UK.
In addition to the discussion on collaborative leadership as an essential skill for social care leaders, the success of Burnley's Empty Homes Programme underscores the importance of strategic, persistent, and collaborative local governance efforts in addressing long-term property vacancies and improving housing affordability and neighbourhood regeneration.
References: [1] Burnley Council (2021). Burnley's Empty Homes Programme: Achieving Success. Retrieved from https://www.burnley.gov.uk/housing/empty-homes-programme/ [2] Empty Homes Agency (2020). The Impact of Empty Homes on Neighbourhoods. Retrieved from https://www.emptyhomes.com/impact-of-empty-homes-on-neighbourhoods/ [3] Burnley Council (2025). Council Executive Approves Four Additional CPOs. Retrieved from https://www.burnley.gov.uk/news/council-executive-approves-four-additional-cpos/ [4] Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (2020). Compulsory Purchase Orders: A Guide for Local Authorities. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/compulsory-purchase-orders-a-guide-for-local-authorities/compulsory-purchase-orders-a-guide-for-local-authorities--2
- The success of Burnley's Empty Homes Programme, which has seen a significant reduction in vacant homes since 2009, serves as a model for sustainable living and community regeneration in housing policies across the UK.
- The strategic use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) by Burnley Council has been instrumental in returning 992 properties to use, promoting home-improvement and home-and-garden projects that uplift the neighbourhood.
- By focusing on sustainability, Burnley's Council has revitalized empty properties, addressing the "broken window syndrome," and offering a blueprint for reducing carbon emissions in housing across the country, particularly in addressing the high social housing wait lists in London.
- The employment of CPOs to acquire long-term vacant properties, as demonstrated by Burnley Council, helps improve the general news surrounding housing conditions and offers a practical solution in the policy-and-legislation landscape for long-term property vacancies.
- The neighbourhood benefits from a revitalized housing system, as homeowners and landlords take pride in their properties, leading to a cohesive community, increased property values, and supporting the lifestyle goals of sustainable living.
