Crackdown on dilapidated buildings in Douglas

Fri, 29 Jul 2016

Irresponsible property owners who let their buildings fall into disrepair are being warned they will be punished.

Douglas Borough Council is appointing a dilapidation enforcement officer in a bid to combat the 'urban blight' of unsightly properties in the town.

The Council says it wants the capital to project a positive image and those who neglect their premises are a 'very real threat' to attracting new investment at a time when the economy is 'fragile'.

Enforcement work is currently done by the Building Control Team but it has other duties to carry out in addition to the dilapidation issues which are described as 'complex and time-consuming'.

The Council says the new recruit will be 'relentless' in enforcing legislation to ensure properties are brought back into an acceptable and secure condition.