DOWN here in the undergrowth lurks a house worth up to £200,000.But, believe it or not, this potentially palatial property in the Dales area of Ipswich has been empty for 15 years.

jon.tunney@eveningstar.co.uk>

DOWN here in the undergrowth lurks a house worth up to £200,000.

But, believe it or not, this potentially palatial property in the Dales area of Ipswich has been empty for 15 years.

The garden obviously needs a little pruning and the roof has developed a leak, but Ipswich-based estate agents Frasers say it could fetch £170,000 - even in its current condition.

Now Ipswich Borough Council's private sector housing team is to investigate.

Joe Howarth, private sector housing manager, said the council was keen to fill empty homes wherever possible – especially in the current climate.

He said: "The council's policy is to prioritise houses that have been empty for more than two years.

"But it's quite an intensive and complex process.

"We can try and cajole and persuade someone to bring it back into use. Then we might look at some legislative action.

"Compulsory purchasing is very long-winded and laborious and very money intensive.

"We can look at it if we feel a house could offer useful accommodation to the town.

"But we would have to demonstrate that all other courses of action had been followed."

Mr Howarth said he could not comment on the house in question as it had not been inspected by a member of his team.

Estate agent Andrew Blewitt , of Frasers, in Queen Street, Ipswich, said the house would be at attractive prospect if it was on the market.

He said: "Demand would be very good, although things are starting to slow a bit at the top end of the market.

"Even in that condition, you are still looking at £170,000-plus. I don't think you'd need to be spending much more than £30,000 to do it up."