Relief over demolition plans for derelict care home

Neighbour Sue Wilkinson has said she is worried about children playing on the site, where she has seen discarded needles

Neighbours of a derelict care home have spoken of their relief over plans for the "nightmare" site to be bulldozed after years of anti-social behaviour.

People living next to the former Laura Chambers Lodge in Clifton, Nottingham, told the BBC the building had become a hotspot of vandalism and drug taking since it closed in 2016.

Sue Wilkinson, 67, said she had been unable to use her garden for months at a time because of the "noise and smoke".

Nottingham City Council has now applied to demolish the care home in Swansdowne Drive and build council housing.

Mrs Wilkinson said the problems had got worse in the past two years

Mrs Wilkinson, who lives next to the Tamworth Grove entrance, said: "It's been hell.

"It started off as two [people in the home]; it ended up as 17, taking drugs, fighting, swearing, screaming.

"They'd come late at night until seven in the morning.

"It'd keep us awake at night. I couldn't allow my grandchildren out.

"It's been set alight three times, and the smoke was coming over my garden.

"It's been empty, rotting, for eight years. We've had rats in the garden.

"The authorities have not done anywhere near enough about it."

One of her neighbours is now selling up and moving away "because it had got so bad", Mrs Wilkinson added.

Residents have seen torches in the building and children climbing on the roof

Her neighbour Jean Wood, 82, added: "It's been a nightmare… we can't wait for it to be knocked down.

"We've had kids climbing on to the roof and waving to us all summer.

"It's been frightening, because you don't know who's over there, you have to lock your doors."

Mrs Wood said her husband, who is in his 80s, has had to cut back the weeds spreading from the derelict care home into their property

The vacant building costs the city council £70,000 each year to look after and keep secure, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The plan is to build 12 family homes and 40 apartments on the site, which the authority hopes will help reduce the waiting list for accommodation.

According to council documents, the scheme will be funded with about £8.4m of government money and £1.4m in Section 106 money, which is given to the council by developers as part of the planning process.

The planning application was submitted on 4 September and is currently awaiting approval.

The city council has been approached for comment.

A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Police said tackling anti-social behaviour in the area was a priority.

They added: "We are working alongside the city council to ensure this particular site is as secure as possible and would urge people to keep away from any abandoned buildings and encourage their children to do the same."