The owner of a century-old former postal delivery office who boarded up the building to deter squatters has admitted he has created an eyesore.

Gerry McDowell has owned the building in Johnston Road, Woodford Green, for 28 years. 

It closed in September and has been sitting empty ever since.

In January, squatters moved in, but were evicted three days later.

Mr McDowell’s "big plans" to convert it into nine flats with a commercial business at ground level were rejected by Redbridge council, which he says has been unhelpful with his attempts to bring the building back into use.  

He insists he complied with changes recommended by town hall planners, but they did not respond to further requests for advice.

His application, which included retaining the facade, was rejected in December on the grounds that a proposed flat was too small, the scale of the development was intrusive and not in-keeping with the conservation area. 

Mr McDowell, 64, said: "I have now had to board it all up to eliminate the risk and it's a complete eyesore."

"It is effectively a derelict building and could be a long time before it’s in use again."