We live next door to Cheltenham Racecourse – but we’re sick of eyesore home that continuously attracts arsonists
NEIGHBOURS of Cheltenham Racecourse have said they are sick of an eyesore house that has continuously attracted arsonists.
The derelict two-storey property off Swindon Lane in Cheltenham is a dangerous site where fires have been deliberately started in the past.
It is just a few hundred yards from Cheltenham Racecourse, the home of National Hunt racing, where millions of pounds have been spent on improving the facilities in recent years.
People living opposite the house, called The Paddocks, have described it as "rotting away" and a "mess".
They have also said the crumbling house is a "magnet for children" and has long been a site of suspected arson attacks.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "It's just rotting away. I know it's not the racecourse's fault as it's not its land but it's ironic that this site is such a mess, so close to a famous sporting arena that is admired by so many people."
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Another resident, who also asked to remain anonymous, added: "The site is not only ugly, it's such a magnet for children. I'd rather see two ugly boxes than this one that's here now. It's dangerous."
They want developers and the local council to crack on with plans to redevelop the site.
Castanum Ventures Ltd's scheme to demolish the house and replace it with two homes and a garage was approved by Cheltenham Borough Council last year.
Although neighbours were not thrilled with their "box-like" design, they wanted them to be built - saying they would be better than what was there.
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A year on and nothing appears to have happened, although the house's condition has deteriorated further.
The site has just been sealed off with hoarding to try to make it secure until it can be demolished.
A council spokesperson said: "Our planning enforcement and compliance team has been working with the site owner to agree on the best approach to secure and screen the building at The Paddocks.
"It was decided that until works start on the redevelopment of the site, the green hoarding now in place would be a good interim measure to prevent unauthorised access - which was a concern due to the poor condition of the building - and to give some screening to the property."
A spokesman for the developer's planning consultancy, Evans Jones, said: "The site owners are currently revising the proposal plans and intend to submit a revised application, which will hopefully meet with the approval of local residents. The developer does not wish to commence development until they have the right consent in place.
"The owners would demolish the existing building, however the council have conditioned the planning approval, meaning that demolition is deemed to comprise the commencement of works."
