Unauthorised demolition of historic Mercy Terrace stables

Photo of the rear of Mercy Terrace, taken from
the bridge (c.2011)

The Council’s Planning Enforcement Team carried out a site visit on 25 July when officers noted that the historic stable buildings had been completely demolished and the foundation for a new building had been excavated. 

The level of demolition is ‘substantial’ and to have done this is an offence under the Planning Acts (where planning permission is not in place for such development).

The Council has therefore issued a warning of the likelihood of formal enforcement action, given that an offence has been committed.  It has been made clear that the works should cease immediately (subject to making the site safe).

Planning Enforcement officers will be visiting the site again to check that the notice to cease works is being observed.

Malyons/Ladywell Road derelict garages site (UPDATE)

Ladywell residents will be aware of the sorry saga of this site, where two people sadly lost their lives in a fire this Summer.

Cllr. Liz Franklin-Johnson, one of our three Ladywell Ward Councillors has confirmed that the Council's Executive Director of Customer Services (Kevin Sheehan) has agreed to put up a strong temporary hoarding to block the debris from the public view.  Apparently this will be erected very soon.

We gather that some months ago an enforcement notice was served under S.59 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 against the registered landowner, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands.  However various legal issues have arisen and are being addressed with necessary care and attention by the Council's Legal Dept.  The primary objective is of course to get the landlord to clear the site.

Cllr. Franklin-Johnson says "I am very concerned about the health and safety implications and have argued, and am still arguing, for the clearance of the space but was informed that this is dependant on the case against the landlord.   The alternative is to block off the debris, which is not what we had requested.  It is has been very frustrating but we are continually pursuing this as Ladywell residents deserve to have a clean and safe environment."

LVIG