A large house which has stood derelict since 1983 is subject to a compulsory purchase order (CPO) by Herefordshire Council.

The next door neighbour, Mrs Monica Badham has repeatedly asked the property owner to tidy up the property especially the garden but had no success. Councillor Andrew Atkinson and Councillor Phil Cutter worked with planning enforcement officer Laura Lloyd following up work which was initiated by Paul Keetch when he was MP.

Councillor Atkinson told the Ross Gazette that he and Cllr Cutter are delighted that the extremely rare step of a CPO has been taken, as all other avenues have been exhausted.

He said:?"Mrs Badham has suffered with damp and other problems related to the empty house next door and it will be wonderful to see the building brought back into use.

"One of the council's priorities is to tackle the issue of derelict or abandoned homes, and use them to provide much needed accommodation for Herefordshire people."

For the full story please see this week's Ross Gazette.