Parkgate man fined for eyesore house

Mar 19 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Neston News

A NEGLECTED house has cost its owner £1,200 after he refused to clean up what neighbours call an eyesore in a good neighbourhood.

Complaints about the ivy and weed-ridden property in Springcroft, Parkgate, were received by Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council in September 2006.

But even after a Section 215 notice was issued, only an attempted clean-up was carried out and the case was taken to Chester magistrates’ court.

The defendant, Robert McClenahan, was handed out a £600 fine and ordered to pay £600 costs to the council.

Nick Dickinson, a neighbour of the property, said: “We have lived next door to the derelict house for almost 12 years and during that time the owner has not lived in it. I have just seen him come to collect his mail at 8.30am every Saturday – I can set my watch by it.

“His back garden is like a jungle and kids go into it and set fires.

“Before he cleared the front, you couldn’t actually see the house.

“It is just so frustrating and it is also a real shame, because otherwise we love our home.

“But we are living next to an eyesore and when all the trees blossom in his garden, ours will sit in darkness.

“What really annoys me is that he does not care twopence for anyone else.

“And what’s silly about it is that he could have easily cleaned it up and let the property out.”

A spokesman for Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council said: “We have written to the landowner to inform him that he has until April 1 to comply with the notice.

“If the land is not cleared by this date, we will have to return to Chester magistrates where the court may choose to impose a further penalty.”