THREE derelict and dilapidated properties in Prestwich could become subject to compulsory purchase orders.

The action is being considered by Bury Council as a solution to the problem surrounding the properties on Heys Road.

During public question time at last week's full meeting of the authority, Prestwich resident Geraldine Green raised the issue.

She asked if council leader Cllr Mike Connolly would agree that empty and dilapidated properties in private ownership create a blight and are a wasted resource, given the shortage of high quality affordable housing in the area.

She added: "As a long-term Prestwich resident, I share the strong feelings of local residents that action is needed to tackle three empty properties on Heys Road that have been vacant for more than 10 years. Could the leader of the council give a firm deadline for the resolution of the problem of these three houses?"

Cllr Connolly said he agreed such empty properties created blight and were a wasted resource at a time when more houses were needed.

"That is why the council has given priority to this area of work and has had significant success in cutting the number of long term empty properties by 200, more than 10 per cent of the total, in the past couple of years."

He added: "The empty properties in Heys Road are recognised as a particular problem. Due to unusual circumstances of this case, including ownership, developing solutions to bring the properties back into use on a permanent basis are complex and lengthy.

"Significant work has been, and will continue to be, undertaken as compulsory purchase becomes a more likely option for these properties. How long this will take is somewhat difficult to predict as we need to follow due legal process.

"Timescales for compulsory purchase orders depend on a number of factors and usually can take anywhere between six and 12 months, depending upon whether they are contested."