Plans to breathe new life into one of Telford’s oldest housing estates will be unveiled tonight.Residents will also be getting their chance to have their say on the needs of Sutton Hill at a public meeting.

Telford & Wrekin Council is exploring ways that it can resolve the problem of empty properties on the estate to bring these back into use and provide much-needed housing accommodation.

The problem centres on privately-owned unoccupied homes which can become an eyesore for residents.

The council has already acted on one such property in Summerhill, which has been unoccupied for at least the last two years, and is due to finish its clean-up of this today at a cost of £650.

Cabinet member for regeneration, Councillor Eric Carter, who is chairing the meeting at Sutton Hill Community Centre at 7pm, said the clear-up had been paid for by the council but would be charged to the house owner.

Mr Carter said they had been aware there were issues in Sutton Hill since they were elected in May.

“We are actually looking at addressing a number of problems. I have been pulling together with officers some plans of what we do in the short, medium and longterm.”

Mr Carter said residents would also get the chance to put their concerns forward at the meeting.

He said he would be putting forward his views and how they would put together a feasibility study for Sutton Hill to present to the housing minister and MPs to see if they could secure funding as in Woodside.

Derelict and burned-out properties, litter and fly-tipping are just some of the issues raised.

Mr Carter said: “There are a series of measures the council has been working on for a number of months to address these issues.

“The aim is to tackle the problems of these unoccupied private homes and get these back into use as quickly as possible.

“This could be in a variety of ways, including working with housing associations to acquire properties, renovate and resell such homes for low cost home ownership, through to the use of other enforcement powers the council has.

“For example, negotiations are well advanced on this and other properties in Sutton Hill, where we have served further environmental notices.”