Calls for 'eyesore' to be demolished
RESIDENTS are calling for a derelict pub to be bulldozed after it has become a magnet for anti-social behaviour and vandal attacks.
Concerns have been raised that the former Woodshutts pub in Butt Lane is becoming a danger to the public as it falls further into disrepair.
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EYESORE: Butt Lane councillor Kyle Robinson, with residents outside the former Woodshutts pub, which they want bulldozed.
The building, in Lower Ash Road, has been repeatedly broken into and vandalised.
Scrap metal thieves and fly-tippers have also targeted the site.
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Residents living nearby say action needs to be taken as soon as possible.
Gillian Preston, aged 46, of First Avenue, said: "I'm concerned because places like this, that are left unattended and uncared for, are a hive for anti-social behaviour. There are a lot of children and elderly people in the area, so it's an issue that needs to be dealt with.
"We have been in the beer garden and there are needles, canisters and mattresses. People have broken in, and we've had people smashing the pipes off the walls for scrap.
"The site should be cleared and used for housing – this is a residential area."
Fellow campaigner Hazel Tench, aged 66, of Mitchell Avenue, said: "I would like to see the building knocked down because it's dangerous.
"Children are messing around there and it's become a dumping ground. It's an eyesore. It's on the main bus route and it's not a very good selling point for Butt Lane.
"It should be something that would benefit Butt Lane, like a car park or some suitable housing."
Residents have enlisted the help of Kyle Robinson, Labour councillor for Butt Lane, who has asked Newcastle Borough Council to take action to get the site cleared up.
Mr Robinson, who is also chairman of the Butt Lane Locality Action Partnership, said: "I've campaigned with residents in the past to get the pub cleaned up, and we've done litter picks, but there's not really much more we can do with it.
"The state of the building is shocking and it needs demolishing.
"It's one of the issues I get the most complaints about as a councillor.
"I've asked the borough council to serve an order on the property, and we are waiting for them to come back to us about who owns it.
"It's been empty for about five years and up for sale for ages, but no one is going to buy it in that state because it needs so much work.
"It's becoming an anti-social behaviour hotspot and it's an eyesore.
"I have written to the fire and rescue service to make them aware that the building is also a fire risk, because fires are being lit inside the building.
"This piece of land would be the ideal site for some Aspire bungalows or even a small car park to relieve congestion outside of the shops on Lower Ash road."
Residents believe the owner of the site lives in London.
Newcastle Borough Council said it would inform the owner if the property was not secure.
A spokesman said: "This is not a borough council owned building, but is in private hands.
"However, the environmental health team are aware and monitor the premises to make sure that it's not open to access and would inform the owners of the building if it was not secure. The Newcastle Safer Communities Partnership is also aware of this property."
Comments
by kirky82
Monday, June 11 2012, 12:24PM
“I live opposite and im currently trying to sell my house, the feedback i get is negative due to the pub and kids hanging around. sooner this place is knocked down the better. Also with the rat problem i had one run pass my feet outside the shop, i have called the council and i see no improvement”
by bigmouth666
Friday, June 08 2012, 9:10PM
“Buttlane, I'd strongly advise you that you insist that the rat problem is sorted out before they begin to demolish the building. If not the area as one hell of a rat problem on it's hands.”
by buttlane
Friday, June 08 2012, 6:39PM
“I live in Butt Lane and I am fed up of the Woodshutts pub. I think the only way forward is for the owners to be forced to demolish the building to solve this problem. The property is infested with rats and the whole site is covered in litter. I would like to see the council take immediate action against this monstrosity. Thanks to our Councillor, Kyle Robinson because out of the rest of them he has bothered to come out and try and sort the mess out. The good thing is that he has tried to clean parts of the property up with volunteers but there is only so much people can do.
It was only last week 2 youths were throwing old microwaves from the roof. The question I want to ask is where are the local Police? Since our Police station has closed down we dont see any bobbies around here. They have all dissapeared!!! Bobbies not buildings, what a load of rubbish.”
by bigmouth666
Friday, June 08 2012, 2:56PM
“I'd get it done before another load come round and say keep the thing up.”
by InsiderOut
Friday, June 08 2012, 2:35PM
“What is this - Anon_mow_cop commenting on something in his own area? Why don't you just stick to attacking our great City where you pay no council tax and have no vote and no legitimate right to comment as you usually do?”
by Anon_mow_cop
Friday, June 08 2012, 2:16PM
“Just get a bulldozer and flatten it, you can argue with the land-owner later, if he was bothered about the property, he would have done something about it before now.”