Action taken on Avala Park in Widdrington

I've been working with the Public Protection and Enforcement Teams at the County Council.

After reports from residents and the Parish Council about the state the former care home is in I visited the site as did enforcement officers from the Council.

Despite every effort to work with owners the Council had to take action to secure the site.

It was clear people were accessing the site and it had become a "den" in the community with goodness knows what happening inside.

Now the property has been secured by the Council the owners will need to pay for that work.

We cannot allow property purchased in communities to be left to go to rack and ruin with dangerous environments being created.

This really must been seen as an example for my area that properties causing concern will have action taken. I will not allow properties that create issues to be left in a dangerous state. The Council will work with owners but when actions are not taken the Council will act where appropriate and charge the owners. 

Being in the building or on the grounds is trespassing, damaging the property is vandalism. Those caught will be in trouble with the police.

I ask everyone in the local community to ensure they report issues and for those trying to access empty properties and to ask young people stay away.

The crying shame about Avala Park is it's a wasted building sat idle when it could have been such a wonderful part of the community.

Further damage will only hinder potential for the site.

Thanks to the enforcement officers, Parish Council and others who've supported us to date with this ongoing issue.