Tens of thousands more will be raised every year from axing the discount available to owners of the 232 officially registered second homes in Calderdale, which are sometimes used as holiday lets.

Councillors have voted to draw up plans for consideration in October which would reduce the 50 per cent discount and to introduce the changes from April next year.

"We want to make sure that the council bears down on the growing number of empty properties," said Liberal Democrat group leader Coun Janet Battye (Calder).

She said the move would encourage owners to find new occupiers and make more good quality properties available to people wanting to rent or buy.

The reason the council would only get a "one-off" sum from reducing the discount on empty homes is that in the following years, the council would receive correspondingly less revenue support grant from the Government.

But the extra income from second homes'tax would be permanent.

Deputy leader Coun Nader Fekri (Calder) said homes which were left empty for a long time affected neighbouring property prices, caused blight and sometimes anti-social behaviour.

"They can create the appearance of ghost towns and increase the pressure on the council to approve new homes on green field sites," he said.

• Calderdale housebuilders are to get £3.9 million from the Hous-ing Corporation to invest in new affordable homes.

The grant will lead to 77 properties being built for sale and for rent, mainly in Halifax and Todmorden.

"I think it is fair to say that we are pleased with this allocation as there is a chance to bid for more later in the year," said Calderdale Council's head of housing, Mark Thompson.

Housing organisations in Calderdale had put in bids for £8.5 million, which would have been enough to build up to 120 properties.

The announcement by Housing Minister Caroline Flint means investment in sites at Upper Parkinson Lane, Halifax, and at Mount Pleasant, Cornholme, Todmorden.

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