A block of flats in Beaverbrook Court, West Bletchley has been empty for at least 5 years. They are owned by West London based Gold Care Homes. 

Local community campaigner  Lauren Townsend has raised the issue with Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, Cllr Nigel Long. She has called upon the Council to take over the empty properties and use them for homeless families or to meet local housing needs.

Lauren Townsend said: “Local residents have raised with me the empty flats. I had a look and was shocked to see that flats could be left sitting empty for years. I immediately raised the matter with the Council.”

Cllr Long has raised the issue of the empty properties with the Council. It appears that Gold Care Homes have looked at working with the Council to bring the properties back in to use, but are suggesting a high cost to the Council. So Cllr Long has suggested getting an alternative independent survey conducted to try and agree a fair cost.

Cllr Long said: “I would like to thank the residents of Whaddon Way who raised the issue of the empty properties with Lauren Townsend and thank her for raising it with me. The London based private company say there are only 3 flats and one house empty. I had a look and there were 7 front doors, so the number of empty homes needs clarifying.”

It also turns out that Gold Care Homes are looking at an alternative development for the 44 room residential care property they own next to the empty houses. Bletchley House provides care for adults both under 65 and over 65.

Cllr Long added: “I don’t think it is right to leave properties empty just because a private company may want to redevelop an area in the future. Redevelopment could take years. Property just cannot be left sitting empty.”

Lauren Townsend concluded: “I could not believe the state of the flats when I visited them. It cannot be right to leave property empty when there are families without permanent homes in Milton Keynes. I look forward to the Council agreeing a way forward with Gold Care Homes.”