THE number of empty homes in Warrington has risen in the last decade, new census figures show.

Census figures from the Office for National Statistics show 3,720 of 94,205 dwellings in Warrington were unoccupied on census day in March 2021.

It meant four per cent of the 94,205 total properties in the area were empty – up from 3.2 per cent in 2011, when the last census was undertaken.

In England, the proportion of unoccupied dwellings has soared during the last decade, with 1.5million (6.1 per cent) empty homes littered across the country – up from 4.2 per cent in 2011.

The census took place during the Covid pandemic, and the ONS expressed caution that some unoccupied dwelling figures may be inflated due to people living with parents, overseas residents returning home, and other lockdown-related restrictions such as travel.

Think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research said home shortages have increased rents and made home ownership unattainable.

It urged the building of more houses to ‘ensure everyone has access to a secure, warm and affordable home’.

Luke Murphy, associate director for energy, climate, housing and infrastructure at IPPR, said: “The shortage of homes is putting pressure on rents and pushing home ownership out of reach for many.

“So it is concerning that the number of unoccupied homes rose in England and Wales over the past decade.

“Because the census took place during the pandemic, that may have contributed to the increase, but the rise means the Government should look again at policies to curb or control holiday homes, short-term lets, and empty homes.

“However, we must not pretend this will solve the housing crisis. We must build millions more homes, including affordable housing, if we are to ensure everyone has access to a secure, warm, and affordable home."

The proportion of empty homes varied across the country – London had the most unoccupied dwellings at eight per cent, while the west Midlands (4.8 per cent) had the lowest.

Warrington Borough Council previously said that its aim is to bring empty properties back into use as quickly as possible.

A spokesman commented: “To support this work, we employ an empty property officer who regularly inspects empty houses in the borough to check their condition.

“We try to work with owners to bring properties back into use, providing advice on appropriate options such as renovation, rental, or sale.

“We can also assist in finding interested buyers and may offer loans to renovate houses for rental purposes.”

The council also says that where owners cannot be persuaded to bring properties back into use, it can consider if any enforcement action is possible.

The spokesman added: “Enforcement methods may include serving legal notices requiring works to be undertaken, and if this is not complied with, we can arrange for work to be done and then recharge the owner.

“If the owner owes money, we can look at enforcing the sale of the property to recover monies owed.

“We also have some other enforcement powers to deal with empty properties such as compulsory purchase orders, but these can only be used in very limited circumstances.

“Any enforcement action will be taken in accordance with our enforcement policy, where it is necessary and proportionate to do so in the public interest, having regard to the circumstances of each case.”