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Council turns up the heat on empty flats
Lewisham Council has made an application to the Residential Property Tribunal in respect of the flats above Corals at 228-230 Algernon Road (and a couple of other properties also owned by Coomes) and expect a hearing date in late February or early March. The Council will be seeking an interim Empty Dwelling Management Order on the flats. If granted, Coomes will have to repair and let the property and if they fail to do so the Council can invoke a final EDMO and take control of the property, repair and let it.
The hearing will be in public so people are welcome to attend. Though Coomes have not responded to date they are, of course, likely to fight the Council all the way on this. Success at the hearing will depend to some extent on the quality of the 'bundle of evidence' the Council will have to submit - so letters from local traders and local people in support of the application, and postings to this blogspot will be helpful.
5 comments:
It's a disgrace that this company should continue to allow this property to deteriorate. I fail to see what they can gain. As for not replying to the Council, that is a sign of pig ignorance and complete stupdity. (Sorry if I insulted pigs.)
I hope the Council are successful in securing the EDMO - the delapidated flats above Corals are the first thing you see as you come over the railway bridge into Ladywell, and they don't create a positive impression. It's a terrible waste of space when we have so many people waiting for homes in the borough. Getting these flats back into good condition would boost the appearance of the whole parade. It really wouldn't hurt a company that drains so much money out of the area each year to put just a little back in...
I know, personally, of two potential traders who have said that an important reason for not taking a lease on Ladywell properties was the visible dilapidation of accommodation in the middle of the village. I took that to mean the Coral flats.
I cannot understand why, as an owner of property, E Coombes / Coral can let their flats fall in to such irresponsible disrepair. If everyone else in Ladywell can keep their flats, shops and houses in a reasonable state of repair it is beyond belief that an entity with their resources cannot and will not do the same. This is despite the numerous protestations and pressure from the local community. It just shows the complete disregard this business has for the area and it's residents. They are very happy to take our money but cannot even be bothered to make the most basic repairs.
Coomes are well aware, from polite letters sent by LVIG since 2008, that the local community is keen to see these flats spruced-up, but they have chosen to ignore these approaches. This is the equivalent of two fingers to the voluntary efforts of the local community to foster pride in the area and promote regeneration. If these flats are 'reposessed' by the Council and let this would be great progress in the regeneration of Ladywell and a real shot in the arm to those who have hopes for achieving a thriving and smart village centre.
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