Calls to demolish derelict Dresden building
A DERELICT building is still standing – despite being earmarked for demolition 10 years ago.
The former clothes store, in Carlisle Street, Dresden, has been boarded up and deemed unsafe for a number of years.
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'KNOCK IT DOWN': Dresden Residents' Association secretary Lilian Dodd outside the property in Carlisle Street, also below.
It is understood the property – which is nextdoor to Dresden Fisheries – is owned by Stoke-on-Trent City Council after being compulsorily purchased by the authority.
But residents and traders are furious that the building has still not been knocked down.
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Now fencing has been brought in by the council to try to stop vandals getting inside the property.
Dresden Residents' Association secretary Lilian Dodd, of Sutherland Avenue, said: "We have been told time and time again that demolition is imminent.
"The nextdoor building will have to shut when the demolition is carried out and they are being messed about.
"The council has deemed the building unsafe but it still has not been knocked down. Instead, they built a fence around the back of the property.
"This building needs to go for health and safety reasons and to give the neighbouring residents and traders peace of mind."
Families are backing the residents' association's fight.
Vincent Bloor, aged 65, of Chaplin Road, is concerned over safety fears surrounding the building.
He said: "The houses behind the property are pushing down on the building.
"If one of the residents living in there were to be out one day putting their washing out and the wall of the empty building gave way, well, it doesn't bear thinking about."
George Mathers, aged 56, of Meir, said: "The chippy next to the derelict building has been there as long as I remember and I've always thought of it as the best in the area.
"The good people who run it don't deserve to be given the runaround like this.
"Knock it down, make it safe and let them carry on doing what they do."
Council officials today confirmed the fence had cost almost £1,000. It was brought in to protect the public and keep out trespassers.
A council spokesman said: "We have a duty to do such work, and the powers to bill the owner.
"Alternatively, we can reclaim the money, plus interest, when the property is sold."
Comments
by RegenMan1
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 11:28AM
“Sloppy journalism or sloppy quotes from the council?
"It is understood the property … is owned by Stoke-on-Trent City Council after being compulsorily purchased by the authority.
Then, later in the article,
"A council spokesman said: "We have a duty to do such work, and the powers to bill the owner.
"Alternatively, we can reclaim the money, plus interest, when the property is sold."
So, the council needs to send a bill to itself then?
Keeps someone in work I suppose.
The question is will the council pay it own debt to itself, or write it off 10 years later?”