Action to be Taken to Deal with Eyesore Derelict House

Moves are underway to compulsory purchase a derelict eyesore house in Clacton which has been abandoned by its owner.

Tendring District Council (TDC) intends to buy 11, Berkeley Road in an effort to improve the street scene and surrounding environment for the benefit of residents.

The Council will also carry out the necessary repairs to the property - with all the funding coming from Section 106 money received from developers as part of their planning permission.

The house has been empty for at least 12 years and TDC has made numerous attempts to contact the owner who lives in London.

Enforcement action has been taken in the past in an effort to keep the property secure and safe, replacing fences and dealing with tons of rubbish which have been dumped in the garden.

It has already cost TDC about £15,000 over the years to tackle the various problems and none of this has been repaid by the owner.

Paul Honeywood, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said that compulsory purchase is the very last resort but everything else has failed to resolve the situation.

“This house and site has blighted people’s lives in that area and been detrimental to the community,” he said.

“Ward members have received numerous complaints from residents living nearby and it has also been used as a dumping ground, among other things.

“Every possible attempt has been made to get in contact with the owner and he will not even talk to us.”

The owner has had no contact with the Council for more than 6 years despite many letters being sent to his address and a visit to his home.

Cllr Honeywood added that the property was used as a squat for a time two years ago and there have also been fires there.

The building is now unsafe with collapsed floors and is missing a rear extension roof which has caused further collapse and structural damage.

“The Council now has little option but to compulsory purchase it – rather than let this situation continue,” said Cllr Honeywood.

"The future of the property has yet to be decided. It can be kept within TDC housing stock or considered for resale.”