Little London: Maltby residents on 'heartbreaking' conditions

The properties were built during World War Two for munitions workers

People living on an estate in Rotherham have said it is "heartbreaking" to see some houses left to decay.

The Little London estate at Maltby has 138 homes but two blocks have been derelict for almost a decade.

Attempts by the council to acquire and refurbish the derelict homes have failed.

The BBC has attempted to contact the property owner Rivergrove but has not received a response.

Little London was built during World War Two as temporary housing for workers being moved from London to work in a munitions factory.

Eighty years later, the estate is privately-owned with people living there unhappy that some blocks have been left to decay.

Aaron Fuller said the derelict homes pose a health threat

"It is really heartbreaking to see these houses. People need places to live and they are not being done up," said resident Aaron Fuller.

"There are rats in there. There's human waste. People have been in there taking drugs."

Mickey Staples lives opposite the derelict block.

"I've lived here for about seven years and I have to look at these everyday and it is depressing."

The residents have formed a campaign group to urge the landlord to take action to deal with the derelict homes.

"It's called Big Power for Little London. We did a march through Rotherham town centre with a banner," said Mr Fuller.

He said they had met with the leader of Rotherham Council and had written several letters to the property owners.

Denise McBride believes the estate should be demolished and rebuilt

It is not just the derelict homes that pose a problem. The condition of other properties on the estate has also prompted concerns.

Denise McBride's home, which is not owned by Rivergrove, suffers from mould.

She would like to see the estate demolished and rebuilt with "more environmentally-friendly homes that are safe, healthy places to live".

Rotherham Council's leader Chris Read said he was "horrified" when he met with residents on the estate and said the authority was committed to helping.

"They are privately owned properties, not ours, so there is a limit to what the council can do, but we are trying to do whatever we can," Mr Read said.

Although Rivergrove has not replied to the BBC's request for comment, a director told the Guardian in November, the firm had invested "hundreds of thousands of pounds" to improve the estate.

He added reported issues were "dealt with in an efficient manner and we are not aware of any long-term outstanding complaints".