Cowplain residents hit out at 'dangerous eyesore' house as council investigates

Beleaguered locals in Kings Road, Cowplain, have lamented the state of No.6 in the road since it was bought at auction in 2014.

Those living in the road say the state of the house has tarnished the image of the area and affected their quality of life - also criticising Havant Borough Council for not resolving the escalating problem.

The litany of complaints include a cracked bay window that has been boarded-up with plywood for years, loose slates on the roof, a damaged front door that is left ajar and an overgrown garden.

Rubbish has been left dumped around the sides including a sofa, cooker and carpet while rats have been seen scuttling around the property and nearby in the peaceful road where several pensioners live.

Gladys Pyle, 90, who lived at the house with her husband Jack for nearly 30 years before selling it to Kaz Miah for £207,000, told The News: ‘It is dreadful now. There was nothing wrong with the house when we had it.

‘I saw (Mr Miah) in the street and told him he “should be ashamed”.

‘I feel sorry for the next-door neighbours. It is a real eyesore. Slates are coming off the roof - if someone is walking along underneath it would be very dangerous.

‘We were always in the garden as Jack was a keen gardener but now it is worse than a forest, it is dreadful. No-one seems to do anything about it.’

Mike Groom, 66, who has lived in the road for 37 years, said: ‘The house shouldn’t be allowed to fall into disrepair like it has been.

‘The bay window at the front was cracked shortly after it was bought and has had plywood on it ever since despite (Mr Miah) always saying he will sort it out.

‘Rubbish including a sofa, cooker and carpet have been strewn down the side passage. Rats have been seen running up and down the garden which is totally overgrown.

‘No remedial works have been carried out - it is a complete eyesore.

‘The loose slates on the roof are a hazard as they could slide onto the pavement.’

He added: ‘The council doesn’t seem bothered in the slightest.’

The house has been derelict for the past year-and-a-half but has previously homed people.

Margaret Thornton, 78, who has lived in the road for seven years, said: ‘There has been a parade of people coming and going at the house over the years.’

She added: ‘It is a disgrace. I feel sorry for the next-door neighbours.

‘The house always used to be immaculate. Now I wouldn’t think anyone would want to live here now - it is ridiculous.

‘The owner doesn’t seem to do anything. We’re all upset at the state of it.’

Residents have lobbied the council for three years and local MP Flick Drummond to force matters but have been left frustrated at the lack of action.

Those involved in the fight said the council could pursue matters by slapping an Untidy Land Notice on the owner.

‘This is what we want the council to serve but they seem unable or unwilling to assist - despite the intervention of the MP Flick Drummond and (Cowplain ward) councillor David Keast,’ another campaigner said.

A spokeswoman for the authority issued a short statement, which said: ‘Havant Borough Council is currently investigating this land and property as an untidy site.

‘As this is an ongoing investigation, the council cannot comment further at this time.’

Mr Miah, who owns a string of restaurants across the area, admitted to The News that the house was in a ‘bad state’ and was ‘rotting’ but said he had good intentions when he purchased the house before ‘realising there was a lot more wrong with it’.

He said: ‘I don’t think £50,000 will even cover all the work that has to be done. It is difficult to commit to that and when you commit you have to finish.

‘But work is being done and is at the first stage.’

Mr Miah said he had stripped the house out and is planning to rewire the house’s electrics before having the plastering done, as well as double glazing, internal walls, roofing and garden.

‘Even the garden will cost £2,500 - it is a lot of money,’ he said. ‘Last year I cleared the garden out but if you don’t keep up with it then it regrows.’

He added: ‘It has been empty for a year-and-a-half which is hurting me in the pocket as I could have rented it out. I’ve apologised to the people.’

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