ACTION over a 40-year eyesore passed the first hurdle with senior Forest councillors backing moves to buy a former sweet shop on edge of Parkend.

The building on the corner of Hughes Terrace and Folly Road has no known owner and is in a state of collapse after years of neglect.

A local community group that wants to take it over received a boost after the Forest Council’s Cabinet recommended the full council should agree to a compulsory purchase of the building.

If it goes ahead, a price would be agreed and the money – minus the cost of boarding up the building a decade ago and legal expenses – held for 12 years in case the owner turns up and wants payment.

If nobody claims the money after that time it would go to the Treasury Solicitor in London and could become attractive to so-called heir hunters who reunite long-lost relations to property for a fee.

It is understood it was a sweet shop run by a Mrs Sheward until her death in 1982 and there was then a dispute between two people who both claimed the right to inherit.

Ten years ago the council moved in to board up the building after a fire and it had been occupied by squatters.

The adjoining Parkend Memorial Hall has also complained that the state of the building has caused damp.

Cllr Alan Grant (UKIP, Pillowell), who lives in Parkend, said the proposed purchase was “good news” for the village.

He said: “I moved there 20 years ago and it was a bit of state – since then the roof has fallen and it’s a complete mess for anyone who drives by.”

Councillors were told that legal officers were “impressed” by the community group trying to take over the shop.

Legal officer James Felton said: “There is no reason to doubt their ability or sincerity – there is a groundswell of determination to solve this.”

There was a “compelling” case to go ahead with the purchase, said Cabinet member for asset management Cllr Richard Leppington (UKIP, Bream).

He said: “The issues relating to the building are long-standing and, in the absence of any intervention by the council, are likely to continue unresolved in the future.

“By authorising our officers to act in this matter, it is hoped that, finally, the issues relating to the building will be resolved, costs will be reimbursed to the council and, most importantly, the blight to the local community will be alleviated.

“I have faith in the community of Parkend that they will take this asset, step up to the mark, run with it and produce something the neighbourhood of Parkend and the surrounding area will be proud to own for themselves.”

Labour group leader Cllr Di Martin (Cinderford East) said the council should make more use of compulsory purchase powers to bring buildings back into use.

“It is something I would like to see this council doing more of – we need a strategy to start compulsory purchase of these properties and bringing them back to life.”