
Cotswold District Council’s major policy change for Long-Term Empty Properties

Cotswold District Council (CDC) has developed The Long-Term Empty Property Strategy to ensure long-term empty properties are brought back into use to provide quality affordable homes to residents in housing need.
It is designed to identify homes that have been vacant for more than six months and support owners in making them available for occupation.
At the end of August 2019 Cotswold district had 648 properties classed as being empty for more than six months. Cllr Lisa Spivey, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness said: “The aim of this strategy is to identify empty properties, find their owners and provide help and support to bring homes back into use. As a last resort, we would use enforcement measures to make sure unsafe and unsightly homes are not left to negatively impact our towns, villages and ultimately, our residents.”
A dedicated empty homes officer has now been appointed by the Council to work with property owners and explore the options available to them and an empty property database established.
When properties become empty, the council will try to locate owners and offer advice on how to bring the homes back into use. When this is not successful the council will move onto formal enforcement measures against the owner that could ultimately include a compulsory purchase order or enforced sale.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the policy further, please do not hesitate to contact Georgina on 01285 883740 or email georgina@butlersherborn.co.uk.

Back British Farming: Celebrating a Decade of Support
Today marks ten years of Back British Farming Day—a milestone that highlights a decade of unwavering public support and growing awareness of the importance of British agriculture.
Back British Farming: Celebrating a Decade of Support
Renters' Reform Bill Returns To The Commons
Earlier this week, the Renters’ Reform Bill returned to the House of Commons for consideration of the proposed amendments put forward by the House of Lords.
Renters' Reform Bill Returns To The Commons
Richard Greasby Runs Another Ultra Marathon - Running In a Land Of Fire & Ice
There was a certain inevitability that soon after my double marathon in the Atlas Mountains in 2024 that I would be open to another challenge whilst legs, health and my wonderfully supportive wife Carol allowed. This has all followed a growing, but unplanned, running adventure since 2019 with 14 ultra marathons and over 6000 training miles (including 100-ish half-marathon training runs). Needless to say, my physio is seeing more of me than ever!
Iceland Ultra Marathon
Then & Now - Can you spot who is who?
We’ve dug into the archives and asked our team to share a photo of themselves from their younger years. Can you match the childhood faces to our team members?
The Team - A Blast from the past