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TRAIL OF DESTRUCTION

Inside wrecked homes full of mountains of rubbish, drugs paraphernalia and human excrement left by squatters

Developers forced to remove 30 TONNES of waste from homes ahead of renovation

THIS is the trail of destruction left by squatters before they were kicked out of two neighbouring properties.

Developers discovered mountains of rubbish and ripped-out kitchens and bathrooms after buying the boarded-up homes.

Discarded clothes swamp the floor of property that was destroyed by squatters
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Discarded clothes swamp the floor of property that was destroyed by squattersCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Drugs needles were among the unsanitary items that developers have had to dispose of
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Drugs needles were among the unsanitary items that developers have had to dispose ofCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
A bathroom was left in an unusable state after squatters were finally removed from house
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A bathroom was left in an unusable state after squatters were finally removed from houseCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
One of the properties in Stoke-on-Trent has now been boarded up after cops and council had squatters evicted
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One of the properties in Stoke-on-Trent has now been boarded up after cops and council had squatters evictedCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Developers hope to convert the properties into flats for first-time buyers
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Developers hope to convert the properties into flats for first-time buyersCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Doors were ripped off kitchen cabinets as the house fell into disrepair
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Doors were ripped off kitchen cabinets as the house fell into disrepairCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

They could only enter the premises in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, after cops and the council secured court orders to evict the unwelcome residents.

They now plan to convert the buildings into studio flats for first-time buyers.

But before work could begin they were forced to remove thirty tonnes of rubbish including drug paraphernalia, excrement, children's toys, and general waste.

The state of the buildings stunned business partners Nick Leatherland, aged 28, and 33-year-old John Colclough.

Nick said: "I have never seen mess like this before and I thought I would have to go outside for some air.

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"I felt sad going in there and seeing how people lived. It was such a shame. There was no electricity, running water, or heating.

"Whoever lived there stole the copper piping. It was unsafe to live in. There were lots of wires and they had been clipped back so they were exposed."

Local businesses and residents have welcomed the planned transformation of the two properties.

The owner of a nursery next-door to one of the buildings - had fought a 10-year battle to try to shut down the one-time drugs den.

Floorboards were ripped up exposing pipework in abandoned proerty
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Floorboards were ripped up exposing pipework in abandoned proertyCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Developers were forced to remove 30 TONNES of rubbish before they could start converting the properties
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Developers were forced to remove 30 TONNES of rubbish before they could start converting the propertiesCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Damage to the property was widespread including to this internal door
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Damage to the property was widespread including to this internal doorCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Ugly stains cover the floor in a kitchen area
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Ugly stains cover the floor in a kitchen areaCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

The closure notice was granted at North Staffordshire Justice Centre after Staffordshire Police and Stoke-on-Trent City Council gathered a dossier of anti-social behaviour evidence against the squatters.

Kindergarten manager Kylie Goldstraw, aged 29, said: "We tried everything to get the building shut down because of the people we used to see going in and out, and the trouble they used to cause.

"It was a problem for us because we are a nursery but we were lucky to have parents who trusted us with their children. Hopefully the new occupants will be people who want to look after the building."

Broken furniture lay abandoned in property
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Broken furniture lay abandoned in propertyCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Local businesses and residents have welcomed the planned transformation of the two properties
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Local businesses and residents have welcomed the planned transformation of the two propertiesCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
The owner of a nursery next-door to one of the buildings – had fought a 10-year battle to try to shut down the one-time drugs den
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The owner of a nursery next-door to one of the buildings – had fought a 10-year battle to try to shut down the one-time drugs denCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Stoke-on-Trent City Council gathered a dossier of anti-social behaviour evidence against the squatters
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Stoke-on-Trent City Council gathered a dossier of anti-social behaviour evidence against the squattersCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

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