Nina Edge says there have been all sorts of problems with the two properties her home is sandwiched between
Nina Edge with a roof tile that smashed into her window from the derelict house next door(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
A mum said she and her son are in “danger of death” as tiles from an adjacent derelict property fall into her garden. Artist Nina Edge, who lives on one of Toxteth’s Welsh Streets, told the ECHO she faces a wide range of problems in her home.
The house is sandwiched between two properties, one of which, she claims, “has been repaired badly” and the other of which is derelict and “hasn’t been repaired at all”.
The 62-year-old, who owns her home on Kelvin Grove, where she has lived since 1999, said that damage from both neighbouring homes has caused a plethora of issues, including tiles flying into her garden, dry rot, rat infestations, vandalism, and other damages, costing her thousands of pounds.
A spokesperson for Placefirst, the Welsh Streets developer that owns both properties, said the firm was aware of issues. They said: “(We) regret that to date we have not been able to renovate and revitalise it in line with our other properties in the area.”
In 2017, Placefirst acquired the properties on either side of Nina’s home and refurbishment of other Welsh Streets was approved. Nina said she and other residents of Kelvin Grove asked Placefirst to deal with their street first.
She explained: “Kelvin Grove remained one of the few streets that still had residents in it – one side was left occupied while the other side was left tinned up and empty.
“We asked Placefirst to deal with this street first because the people had suffered with rats, vandalism, intruders, theft, and fly-tipping – all the many problems that come with living in a half-empty street.
“But, instead of mending this street first, Placefirst mended the rest of the site. They built new houses on High Park Street, Voelas Street and Wynnstay Street. They left Kelvin Grove until the 2020 lockdown.
“From then, we were told that the whole of Kelvin Grove was getting repaired and new houses were getting built, but that [the house next door to me] was going to be left.
“Left until when? We don’t know, and it’s now 2025.”
Nina Edge’s house (centre) is sandwiched between two problematic houses, one of which is derelict(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Nina, who has spent decades campaigning in the Welsh Streets, said the derelict house to the left of her property has been uninhabited since autumn 1999.
She said the house has been “invaded by intruders” who have stolen the lead off their roof several times.
She said: “(The scaffolding) was a climbing adventure playground for teenage lads doing parkour; there were gangs up there going in and stripping out the wiring; there’s been all sorts of human problems with that house, and now large things are falling off.”A five-kilogram tile has come down twice. It falls into an area where me and my son store our bicycles. There’s a danger of death.”The tile which Nina speaks of fell from the house in August 2024. She reported it to Placefirst.
In response to Nina’s claims of criminality, a spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “We are aware of previous incidents at the location, most recently in 2022. We take all reports of ASB and crime seriously, so if you have any information on issues in the community, please get in touch and we will take action.”
Nina Edge in her back garden(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Nina said the house to the right of her property is also causing significant damage to her home. She explained: “(That house) was repaired a couple of years ago, which was quite encouraging.
“However, before it was repaired, the roof was off and a lot of moisture was coming in. That has contributed to a dry rot problem in my house, which has cost in the region of £7,000 to £8,000.
“I couldn’t let the dry rot get to my staircase, so I paid for it. There’s no water ingress in my house – except what comes in from next door, which has been exposed to the elements.
“We went in and photographed it while we were chasing someone’s lost cat. Cats and dogs run inside these buildings, and we have to go and fetch them out.
“So I’ve seen what’s happened next door, and it’s been very, very wet. The lack of ventilation in the cellar has caused more damp issues.
A spokesperson for Placefirst said: “We are aware of the issues at [the left property] and regret that to-date we have not been able to renovate and revitalise it in line with our other properties in the area.
“We purchased the property from the local authority, along with [the right property] as part of the latter phase of our Welsh Streets development. Both properties were in a state of significant disrepair. Whilst [the right property] has subsequently been renovated and let, unfortunately we became aware that [the left property] was suffering from severe subsidence.
“Since then, we have ensured the safety of the building as it stands and have been engaging with Ms Edge on our proposed remediation plans for the property. However, we have been unable to reach a party wall agreement with Ms. Edge that would allow us to undertake the works necessary to make the property suitable for renovation and occupation.
“We are now considering our options for this property.”
A spokesperson for Liverpool City Council said: “The council is aware of the concerns raised by this resident, and an officer from our Empty Homes Team has made contact with them.
“The issues raised will fall under civil legislation, and the resident has been advised to take independent legal advice on these.
“The concern raised over the risk of falling roof slates has been referred to our Building Control department to investigate.”
Responding to Placefirst’s comment, Nina said the party wall agreements she has been presented with have not been feasible: “There have been two party wall agreements. The first came when Placefirst proposed renovating and re-occupying (left house) – something we have always hoped would happen. However, they wanted to sink deep steel piles right next to my wall and leave my outrigger hanging. My advising engineer asked for a different solution to be found. I couldn’t agree to something that might mess up my home. Who would?
“This resulted in a proposal to demolish (left house) instead, and party wall agreement number two was presented. Again, I took advice and was advised to seek a few sensible design amendments. The new proposal was to demolish (left house), abandon responsibility for the site, and leave it as an unfenced vacant plot.
“More damage was threatened with the low fencing and poor boundary security next to the empty plot. We asked for a new home to be built on the existing footprint of the old home as my internal wall was not intended ever to withstand the weather. It would need strengthening sound proofing and insulating.
“I asked for the building regulation amount of insulation, a means of avoiding solution to rain water washing out the footing of my wall. I also asked for all agreed outstanding damage to be put right. We were clearing stuff out ready for the work to start.
“If and when Placefirst present a party wall agreement that does not threaten catastrophic damage to our home, it will be signed.”