A FED-UP councillor urged his colleagues to "step in" and tackle properties lying empty across the city amid a homelessness crisis. 

Berechurch councillor Martyn Warnes has been fighting to restore an empty home in his ward to make it available to families waiting for social housing in Colchester. 

It comes amid shocking figures which showed a total of 364 households, as of August 13, live in temporary accommodation in Colchester.

Of these 122 were living in bed and breakfasts which often lack “core facilities” such as cooking and laundry.

Mr Warnes said: “I believe that in the middle of a housing crisis it is scandalous how a family sized property in Thomas Benold Walk in Berechurch has stood empty for seven months whilst the social landlord decides what to do with it. 

“Colchester has hundreds of homeless applicants in temporary accommodation and neither the social landlord or the council seems willing to help me save this property, get it repaired and relet so a homeless family can have a home.” 

The property, which is managed by the Peabody trust, has been standing empty and boarded up since January this year, Mr Warnes told the Gazette. 

Following enquiries, he has been told that the trust has deemed the cost to refurbish the home as too high and is considering a sale. 

Mr Warnes was due to speak at last night's cabinet meeting to demand action is taken on the property. 

A spokesman for Colchester Council said: “We understand the concerns raised by Councillor Warnes, regarding the vacant property in Thomas Benold Walk, and share his desire to see this property utilised to address the housing needs of our community. 

“The property in question is owned by Peabody and was part of a Section 106 agreement associated with a larger development project. As part of this agreement, the council had a degree of control over the allocation of properties in the initial phases. However, subsequent allocations have been subject to a more limited level of involvement. 

Colchester Town HallColchester Town Hall (Image: Mike Quinn)

“We have been in contact with Peabody regarding the vacant property and have expressed our concern about its prolonged vacancy. 

“While we would ideally like to see the property brought back into use for affordable housing, the decision ultimately rests with Peabody. If the property is deemed unviable for repair by Peabody, it is likely that it would also be economically challenging for the council to acquire and rehabilitate. 

“We remain committed to addressing the housing needs of our residents and will continue to explore all available options to increase affordable housing stock in the city.” 

The Peabody has confirmed to the Gazette, that the cost is too high to turn the property into social housing. 

A spokesman for Peabody said: “We’re acutely aware of the need for more social and affordable homes, which is why we’re doing all we can to build more of them. 

“We’re a not-for-profit housing association and reinvest all our income into providing homes and services for residents. We do sell a very small number of empty homes which are no longer suitable as social housing. When deciding whether to sell we’ll look at its condition and the likely costs of maintaining it over 60 years. This includes the cost of making the property energy efficient for residents.   

“For a very small number of homes, we find these costs will be too high, and that was the case with this property. Any money from sales goes back into affordable housing, community services and our existing homes. We’re spending more than £1m per day on ensuring homes are safe and well maintained.”