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Surely a local authority can force the owner of a listed building to do necessary repairs by serving a repairs notice and, if the owner fails to comply, taking steps compulsorily to acquire the property and, if the owner deliberately has allowed the property to fall into disrepair (which, if the content of this report is to be believed, appears to be the case), seeking a minimum compensation directive. Why isn't Wakefield Council going down that road rather than, apparently, arguing with HMCTS as to who should subsidise the upkeep of this privately owned building?