THE article published last week about Bury’s house building shortage makes interesting reading and I have to agree with Conservative Cllr Oliver Kerch when he says that Bury should focus its attention on houses that stand empty.

According to a document in my possession, there are 2,482 vacant dwellings in Bury, with 947 of them being empty long term.

And likewise, there are 30,302 vacant dwellings across Greater Manchester, again with 10,827 being empty long term.

Although these figures may appear small in comparison with the number of dwellings reportedly required, in my opinion, there is a moral obligation to bring them back into use, coupled with the fact that some empty dwellings especially those which are empty long term can blight surrounding properties which is unfair to people living within the immediate area.

Cllr Dorothy Gunther

North Manor Ward