WC could prosecute itself for listed building neglect
Wiltshire Council is looking to raise some money by selling off some of its agricultural smallholdings. A report to the Capital Assets Committee proposes the sale of three small dairy farms at Sedgehill. WC says the farms have: "limited and outdated fixed equipment and would require significant investment prior to re-letting. Two of the farms have Grade II listed residential dwellings, one of which has structural defects and is uninhabitable. Each of the farms have (sic) ranges of traditional farm buildings which are unsuited to modern agriculture but ideal for conversion to other uses. Their value is best realised by disposing of them rather than via re-letting."
The listed buildings include the farmhouse at Church Farm, which has structural defects and has been uninhabitable for over a year. Landowners are not allowed to let listed buildings deteriorate and as the enforcement authority for listed buildings the council is hoping to dispose of the farm before anybody notices. It could for example be embarassing if the press picked up on the story. Or as WC puts it: "This is also represents (sic) a reputational risk because the Council as planning authority has the relevant enforcement powers to serve a repairs notice requiring the repair of a listed building in order to safeguard it and ultimately also has compulsory purchase powers for the same reason."