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The Champion • Wednesday 16 October 2013CVisit us @ www.ChampNews.com • 5Council make plans to tacklenumber of empty homesA REPORT has revealed that the number of empty homes inCrosby and Hightown is close to a thousand – but the councilplan to build more.A new five–year strategy was approved last week by SeftonCouncil in a bid to try and reduce the amount of vacantproperties as it emerged that there are 933 across the twotowns.But the much–debated Local Plan, which is set to come intoeffect in 2015, means there must be at least 510 new homesbuilt every year.As recently reported in the Champion, Sefton Council gave thegreen light for work to begin on 13 new houses in Hightowndespite hundreds of people signing a petition against thescheme.And the number of empty homes has led to concerns that it willlead to a loss of council tax, it may create places for anti socialbehaviour and they will become an eye–sore for neighbours.But the council have vowed to reduce the amount of emptyproperties, which stands at 5,356 across the entire of Sefton, ina plan that will last until 2018.Report by Tom MartinThe previous plan to tackle the issue was approved in 2009 butthis has now expired and it must be updated.Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson claims that the council shouldbe allowed to deduct the number of empty homes from theoverall target of new properties needed as a result of the LocalPlan.He said: “I have argued all along that the borough’s existingempty properties should be deducted from the overall target.It’s the logical thing to do.“If there’s a market for new homes, there must be a market forexisting empty properties.“What we are seeing now, is developers rubbing their handswith glee at the prospect of making much more money.“Sefton Council has devised an effective strategy to deal withthe problem, but despite the council’s best efforts, it will not berecognised by the government who will still insist on a LocalPlan which allows developers to build thousands of houses, ineffect, exactly where they like. So in Hightown, we have seenthe green light being given to new homes, despite local people’slegitimate fears about the impact of the houses on the existingcommunity.”The council want to force through the redevelopment of poorlymaintained homes as it was confirmed that over 90% of emptyhomes in Sefton are privately owned.Some of the reasons given for the amount included owners notbeing able to sell due to a stagnant market, legal requirementssuch as divorce or no funds being available to improveproperties.A report by Sefton Council, said: “In Sefton, there has been adecrease in the proportion of vacant dwellings from a peak of6.2% in 2008, to the current figure of 4.3%.“This decrease in the number and proportion of vacantproperties, in part, follows a successful approach by SeftonCouncil and its partners to pro–actively target and reduce thenumber of empty homes within the Borough.”The plan is expected to come into force on October, 17.tom.martin@champnews.comCrosby falcon finallyreunited with ownerKITCHENSReport by Tom MartinTHE Crosby falcon has finally beenreunited with its owner after it wasrescued by the RSPCA from atelevision aerial.As reported in the Champion twoweeks ago, a saker falcon was trappedon the roof of a home in WindmillAvenue and taken into care.The bird had become trappedagainst the aerial and in a vulnerableposition as it was being attacked bymagpies.A spokesperson for the RSPCA, said:“We were called out at around3.45pm to the house and we placedthe bird into a special bag so not toalarm it further.“Initially there were concerns that ithad broken its leg so we gave it painrelief pills.“There was only soft tissue damageso that was a relief.“A private enthusiast has since comeforward as the bird’s owner.The incident sparked widespreadinterest and residents are torn in theirA saker falcon Code NAbelief that Crosby has become a homefor falcons after it emerged that therehas been more sightings.In another twist, Debbie Hegarty, ofRimrose Valley Road, claimed thatthere have always been two falcons.She said: ”I walk my dog two orthree times a day and I always see twolarge falcons.“I have no idea where they camefrom but they seem to live in the areabecause this has been happening for awhile now. Ever since the first birdwas taken in by the RSPCA, the otherone has been circling Rimrose Valleyin the hope of finding his/her partner.“It’s sad really and I hope they can bereunited.”Another resident, Elizabeth Newton,photographed a large a bird after itlanded in her garden and she believedit was the same falcon that wasrescued by the RSPCA.She said: “I was in my bedroom and Isuddenly heard a loud bang on theconservatory roof.“A neighbour came around to helpme and after about 20 minutes oftrying to help it the bird just flewaway!”But the idea that it was the same birdin both cases has been dismissed bybird enthusiast Mick O’Donovan.He said: “I have been mad aboutbirds ever since I was a child and thebird that was pictured in the garden isnot a falcon.“I don’t know about the rescued birdbut the one found in the garden is afemale sparrow hawk”.TheDesignStudioSHOWROOM QUALITY KITCHENS AT FACTORY PRICES✓ All units 18mm rigid built made to measure✓ Anti-slam doors & self-close drawers✓ Computerised 3D design service ✓ Full fi tting service available✓ Granite specialists at trade prices ✓ Colour Co-ordinated CabinetsOPEN Monday- Friday 9.00 - 5.30. 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