Council may use compulsory powers to buy buildings

Leeds City Council could use compulsory purchase powers to buy several crumbling city centre buildings after reaching a "stalemate" with the owner over their value.

Lower Kirkgate has been closed to traffic since April last year after a derelict building partially collapsed.

A council report said the authority had been in negotiations to buy 83 to 88-89 Kirkgate, but the owner disputed an independent valuation of the properties.

The council said there were now "compelling factors" to justify using a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), including public safety and the need to redevelop the street.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, councillors will be asked to agree to a case for a CPO being drawn up at a meeting on 16 July.

Negotiations to secure a private sale would continue in the meantime, the report said, despite a "stalemate" up until now.

Urgent repairs to the buildings are planned after legal notices were served allowing the council to carry out work and recoup the costs from the owner.

An urgent works notice was served on City Fusion Ltd in December, giving it 28 days to take action.

But the deadline was delayed after ownership of some of the properties was transferred to a different business with the same director.

The council has allocated up to £700,000 for the repairs, which it would seek to recover.

However, according to the report, the owner has stated they would challenge the cost recovery for the works.

Meanwhile, businesses still operating on the street have complained about the impact of the impasse on trading.

"A lack of business confidence in the area has clearly been communicated to the council, with some businesses declaring the threat of closure," the report said.

Leeds City Council said the buildings posed no risk to public safety and a building contractor could begin a 16-week repairs programme next month.

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