LEYTONSTONE: Huge council property left empty despite housing crisis

8:23am Thursday 9th October 2008

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A HUGE house has been left empty and abandoned for more than four months - despite a shortage of homes in Waltham Forest.

The property in Hainault Road, Leytonstone, owned by Waltham Forest Council, was previously home to tenants with mental health problems who were not able to look after the property properly, according to neighbours.

Elsie Speck, 77, who lives in a nearby flat, said: “I’ve been campaigning now for two years to get something done about it.

“It’s now lying empty and it’s had rat infestations and black water pouring down the back walls. It’s an absolute shambles.”

The garden is also overgrown with weeds, which are encroaching on the property next door, and the house has a broken window.

Mrs Speck added:“If you look at it, it’s a good three-bedroom house and it’s fairly large but it’s been allowed to go to ruin.

“With the housing shortage, this is disgusting.”

Her neighbour, Nicky Griggs, 80, said: “It’s a shame - it was a beautiful house but now it’s been completely destroyed. It’s in a dreadful state and I wouldn’t be surprised if the rats weren’t back.”

She also described how the house had been neglected over the course of three or four years and had gradually fallen into a state of disrepair.

“I personally have reported it on several occasions,” Mrs Griggs said.

“I’ve given up now.”

A spokesman for the council said: “The building in question is a Waltham Forest-owned group care home, previously used by social services. The property is currently not in use because it needs to be upgraded and refurbished.

“The council is currently investigating the possibility of bringing this building back into use as well as looking at other alternatives.”