Dave Smith, Head of Building Control will be providing a presentation on dealing with Derelict Buildings in the Fosse Ward.
Minutes:
Adrian Russell, Service Director, Environmental Services provided a presentation on work that was being done on derelict buildings in the ward.
Adrian commented that derelict and unsightly buildings had been identified as a priority concern in the Fosse ward. There had now been a team put together involving different officers from the City Council to assess and tackle the issues. A preliminary survey and action had already been taken however it had been realised that some problems were difficult to solve in the short term.
The derelict buildings that had been identified were:
St Augustine’s Church, Fosse Road North
Adrian stated that there had been problems with boundary fencing that was insecure and work had been done to ensure that the fencing was secure. The owners of the land had been written to, to find out what plans they had to make the building safer however no response had been received and the issue would now be given to Office Services.
There had also been an application for 24 flats in November 2008 however that had now expired and would now not happen. The Chair commented that the City Council had refused the planning application for the flats but the applicants had taken the case to appeal and won however had not done nothing on the site since. The City Council had gone in and done some work on the site however had not been paid. Since the application had lapsed the site owners would have to apply and go through the planning process again. The Chair stated that the site looked unsightly and it was important to get the owners to take responsibility for the site. Adrian mentioned that there were some powers available under the Planning Act, which allowed to action to be taken against buildings that were eyesores in the area.
A.E. Charlesworth’s, Rugby Street
Adrian commented that the fence around the building had been made secure and the Council were in the process of taking action against the owners to make sure the glass in the windows was safe. There had been no applications received for the site.
The Old Robin Hood, 7 Woodgate
The site had been attracting flyposters and action was being taken against the owners. There had been a planning application in 2007 for the building of a restaurant however nothing had happened to date.
Friar Tuck Tavern, 4-6 Woodgate
The chimney pots on this site were not safe and action was being taken against the owners to make them safe. There had also been fly tipping in the area. There had been a planning application submitted for the building of 6 flats however this had now been withdrawn.
Northbridge Tavern
Notice had been served against the owners and as a result the rubbish that been on the site had been cleared up, however since then there had been more rubbish placed on the site.
Premier Screw and Repetition, Woodgate
The owner had been contacted in order for the plants on the site to be improved.
Kwik-Fit Garage, 1-3 Littleton Street
The owner had been contacted about the over grown vegetation on the site.
Car park adjacent to 125 Bonchurch Street
Environmental health powers were being used to clear up the rubbish on the site.
The Vicarage, 8 Pool Road
The site had been made secure. There had been an application for a 3 storey building for 6 flats which was approved however nothing had been done since on the site.
88 Woodgate
Environmental health powers were being used to clear up the rubbish on the site.
12 Littleton Street
The site had been made secure however the owners had been contacted about the metal fencing.
45 Frog Island
There was broken glass on the site and this had now been boarded up however Adrian mentioned it was important to keep an eye on this. There had been no applications submitted for this site.
Land adjacent to 10 Ravensbridge Drive
Adrian mentioned that powers were being used to get the overgrown vegetation.
Adrian stated that if anyone else knew of any other derelict buildings in the area they should contact Gary Geldard, Building Control Surveyor, on 0116 252 8623.
The Chair commented that every ward had problems with derelict buildings in the ward however this evidence showed that officers had gone around the ward and identified the problems.