Derelict site on Drake Street to be cleaned up

Derelict site on Drake Street to be cleaned up

An eyesore on a major gateway into Rochdale is to be cleaned up, after a year-long battle with the owner.

The derelict land at 206 Drake Street, the site of the old Driving Test Centre, has been abandoned for several years and left in a deplorable state with rubbish and litter left strewn all over the area.

But now, the Council is to use new environmental powers to enter the site, clean it up and send the bill to the owner.

Councillor Richard Farnell said: "This land is an eyesore, and what's worse, it's on a major route into the town centre.

"I know council officers have had numerous meetings with the owner in an attempt to get him to redevelop this derelict site, but have made little progress. The least he can do is to keep the site clean and tidy. But he's failed to do that despite repeated requests.

"The Council has finally lost patience. We are going to remove all the rubbish and litter and clean up the site and send the owner the bill.

"I am fed up with a small number of absentee landowners who do nothing with their land or properties but let them slide into decay and ruin. It creates an awful impression.

"The message is crystal clear: clean up your act or the council will do it for you and send you the bill."

Earlier this year the Council carried out improvements to the almost derelict Crescent Hotel on Drake Street, a prominent building on the Metrolink route, and the £12,000 cost of the works charged against the value of the property, which will be recovered when it is sold.