Councillors say the site has been left vacant for a number of years
Liberal Democrat Councillors Mike Sammon and Leo Evans(Image: Handout)
Concerns have been raised about a ‘long-neglected’ site in a much-loved area of Southport, after local councillors said it was being ‘left to decline’ and negatively impacting on the local community.
Liberal Democrat councillors in Southport, Mike Sammon and Leo Evans, have both called on Sefton Council to step in over a long-neglected vacant site. They both represent Cambridge ward where the land sits, and are asking the local authority use whatever powers it holds to find a workable solution for the empty land.
The councillors said the privately owned site has been left open and unsecured for a number of years, with damaged fencing allowing access. Residents say this has led to repeated fly-tipping and further deterioration, despite the site being located in a residential area.
Following a recent visit, councillors Sammon and Evans have formally contacted the council’s Planning Enforcement team to ask what action can be taken to address the situation, which continues to cause concern for local residents after years of inactivity.
Cllr Sammon said: “Residents have raised concerns about this site for a long time and it is clear that the current situation is not acceptable.
“The land is open and unsecured, which is contributing to fly-tipping and ongoing problems for people living nearby.
“I have now asked the council to step in, assess the site and consider using the powers available to require it to be properly secured and maintained.
“Residents should not have to live next to a site that has been left to decline indefinitely.”
Commenting on the impact of the vacant land, Cllr Leo Evans added: “This is a familiar issue where land is left vacant for years with little accountability, while residents are left dealing with the consequences.
“While we are asking the council to act now, situations like this also underline the need for stronger laws so that sites cannot be left vacant and unmanaged for years without consequence.”
Cllr Sammon told the Liverpool ECHO: “The land referred to is on Alexandra Road in Southport. I emailed Sefton Planning Enforcement who have since said there is no Planning Enforcement issue, but I then followed up with environmental health.
“Cllr Pat Keith was the former Cambridge Ward Lib Dem councillor, and they raised this years ago and again with Cllr Leo Evans in 2019, and a residents association from Alexandra Court is regularly in touch with me over it.
“The issue has worsened recently because the fence has been broken through so now it is wide open and people use it for fly-tipping.”
The councillors say they will continue to press for action and will update residents once a response is received from Sefton Council.
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