Neighbours of Derbyshire house empty for more than 30 years welcome plans to seize it - after decades of “hell”

Amber Valley Borough Council has agreed to compulsory purchase – seize through legal force – 20 Springfield View in Ripley from its owners after 35 years of dereliction.

The large two-and-a-half-storey detached house at the end of a cul-de-sac has been empty since its construction in 1991, long before almost all of the current neighbours moved into the area.

For years the large site, which is bordered by two alleyways and backs onto Ledo Avenue and Sir Barnes Wallis Recreation Ground, has been the source of frequent anti-social behaviour involving rough sleepers, drug users, children, teenagers – and associated police and fire callouts.

Neighbours of the long-derelict site say anti-social behaviour issues worsen during the school holidays, particularly the summer, when bricks and stones are thrown at it, roof tiles are stolen, ladders are brought to try and gain entry and even teenagers camp on the site with sleeping bags.

The Springfield View property is one of 1,739 empty properties in Amber Valley, as of October 2024, and 923 long-term vacant homes.

Amber Valley now aims to seize the house and bring it back into use as a home, following renovation, with no costs yet provided for the overall process, pending valuation of the property.

A council report this week details: “The property is in a disorderly state and has never been occupied, despite the council’s engagement with the owners to bring the property into use.

“It is in an unsightly state and has a detrimental effect on the local amenity, attracting antisocial behaviour.

“As such, the council considers that its legal options are limited to a compulsory acquisition of the property.

“Bringing the property concerned back into use would primarily restore a unit of housing, or potentially see the construction of additional homes on the plot and would also address ongoing anti-social behaviour concerns.

“Local residents have reported incidents of anti-social behaviour occurring on and around the property, including trespassers accessing the property through unsecured windows and suspected drug-related activities.”

The council says it has been in contact with the owners since 2007 about trying to get the home in use, with the owners repeatedly asserting that they intend to sell the property.

However, no such sale ever occurred.

From 2011 the council has regularly enforced condition improvements on the site, including cutting back hedges and bushes and boarding up and putting breezeblocks in the windows and doorways to prevent access.

It says: “While the notices have been complied with, the condition of the property has continued to deteriorate and officers have continually been summoned by local residents to deal with the condition of the property and anti-social behaviour associated with it.

“Meanwhile, the owners have not taken any meaningful steps towards selling the property.”

Jackie Campbell, who has lived across from the home for 36 years since the estate’s completion, said: “It will be very welcome to see it used. Whenever the children are off school they are trudging around the site and trying to get in. Teenagers come down with sleeping bags and camp there.”

A resident who has lived nearby for 31 years said: “It has been empty since I moved here. I am glad that it is going to be used. It is long overdue.”

Another long-time resident said: “That is really good news. It is good to get it sorted. It has been a source of concern with lots of congregations of all sorts of people.”

Dominic Turner, who has lived next to the property for 18 months, said: “Anyone doing anything with it is going to be good. It is hell when the kids are out of school, they climb all over it and vandalise it.

“Keeping it a single property would be preferable but if they want to build more there than that is fine as long as there is enough parking.

“It is a surprise that the owner kept it all this time and maintained bits annually but never sold it. We look forward to having people living next door.”