Seymour Street Hazard update

More information about the health hazard noted in the blog below.

Paul Bratley from the Environmental Health department has spoken to TRACE. He had visited the property previously after the issue had been raised by Together (see below). Seeing scaffolding outside the property at that time, he had assumed that work was being done to fix the problems which had been reported.

After the recent complaint from TRACE (last week) he has visited again, taken photographs and now is aware that far from improving, the situation has got worse. Although there are clearly problems with the roof space being open and pigeon infestation the approach in such situations is first of all to try to get the support of the home owner to fix the problems themselves without the need for action by the Council.

He has told TRACE that he has checked the ownership through the Land Registry and will be contacting the owners within the next few days. After discussions with TRACE he is aware of the HMRI and that there are opportunities for owners to get help from the local authority to make necessary improve to their homes.

If this contact from Paul Bratley deals with the problem then local residents will be happy. However if despite the intervention from the local authority the owner does not take prompt action but continues to allow the property to deteriorate then TRACE will expect the Environmental Health Department to refer the matter to Wirral's Planning team. This team has the necessary powers under the Town and Country Planning Act to require the owner to make the improvements failing which the improvements could be made by the local authority themselves who would then be able to charge the owner the full cost of the necessary improvement works.

Of course it may be that the reported serious illness to the owner has so far prevented intervention to improve the property but this has now gone on for a very long time. It is surely right for support to be offered in the first instance but if the offer of support does not lead to a prompt response - then enforcement action may be necessary before what is already a health hazard becomes an even more serious threat to local health and quality of life.

TRACE will continue to monitor and report on the situation.