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‘They should either build or go’
Steve Davies, left, and fellow residents of Pitt Street, Pocket Nook, at the wasteland around the corner in Pocket Nook Street that they would like cleaned up and put to good use for the community
ANGRY residents on a Pocket Nook street are demanding action to develop a patch of wasteland.
The land has stood idle since 2010 when it was purchased by a businessman from St Helens Council.
Planning permission granted to build houses on the site in Pitt Street will elapse next year unless work starts before then.
The identity of the buyer remains a mystery and it is unclear why building has not yet started.
However, frustrated neighbours say the impasse has meant their homes now adjoin what is in effect a deserted building site.
Stephen Davies, 45, who lives in one of the neighbouring properties in Pocket Nook Street, said: “We’ve suffered as a community because of this deserted land.
“Nobody knows why the land has been left but really because it is unsecured it is a security risk to our homes.”
Mr Davies, a self-emplopyed builder, is equally annoyed an application to install council alleygates can’t proceed until progress is made on the Pitt Street site.
He added: “It is so frustrating for us. I’ve contacted my local councillor and the council leader, Marie Rimmer.
“We just want this sorted one way or another. What we’re left with now means we’re stuck in limbo.”
A council spokesman confirmed planning permission - which was granted in April 2010 - woild expire next year.
He added: “At the time of granting planning permission the land appeared to be in satisfactory condition but as a result of Mr Davies’s enquiry the land will be re-inspected from an amenity point of view.
“The council has installed alleygates where appropriate but can do no more until the privately owned land is developed.”
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Weather for St Helens
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: West
