A ruined old house that is starting to look like a 'wildlife sanctuary' is causing concerns for people living nearby after more than four years.
The ruinous house on Medway Drive in Kearsley has been abandoned for several years now and despite efforts having been made to clear it up, is still standing dilapidated.
Residents last raised concerns in March last year and have now again reported that house is still in a poor state as of July this year.
Cllr Debbie Newall, of Kearsley, said: “The problem with enforcement is that they can only enforce things when there is a breach of planning laws.
“I know last year we made representations and the buildings and gardens were tied up but as far as I’m aware there have been no further planning applications submitted.
“The last planning applications that I know of were refused.”
She added: “I can check for the residents but if its within planning and the building regs are kept to then there’s not much enforcement can do.”
People living nearby on Medway Drive have long complained that the building is an “eyesore”, which could devalue other houses on the street.
Paul Fagan, who lives nearby, said that the house has come to resemble a “wildlife sanctuary”, having “massively declined” over the years.
Mr Fagan had last raised the issue back in March 2023 saying at the time that he was concerned about the apparent lack of progress that had been made.
Now, more than a year on further images from Medway Drive shows the house to still be in a similar state with the building abandoned and debris left on the front lawn outside.
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According to Cllr Newall, the house has been subject to various planning applications, which have been refused.
A house next door has been unoccupied since its elderly occupied died in early 2023, sparking further concerns about empty properties on the street.
Cllr Newall said: “It’s an eyesore, it’s a mess and I totally understand where residents are coming from.
“As far as I know, no further applications have been made but I will continue to check for the residents.”
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