COUNCILLORS are set to discuss two problem sites in Brierfield which have become ‘eyesores’.

 

The former Marsden Cross pub, in Higher Reedley Road and a property on Railway Street have both been empty for a number of years.

 

Ahead of a meeting of the Brierfield and Reedley Committee on July 4, the owners of both buildings have been contacted by Pendle Borough Council to address the poor state of the properties, or further action will be taken.

 

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A document set to be considered by councillors described the Marsden Cross building as being in a ‘poor condition’ with ‘broken and boarded up windows.’

 

The report said: “There has also been some fire damage.

 

“The owner has been contacted.

 

“The condition of the building has deteriorated and the owner has been given seven days to agree a timescale for the works. If no satisfactory outcome then proceed to serve a notice.”

 

While the same report said a next door neighbour had complained about the house at 27 Railway Street causing ‘dampness’ to her property in the past and ‘problems with rats’.

 

Carmela Lo Presti, environmental health officer at Pendle Borough Council, said in the report: “The property is currently open to access. I served notice earlier this week and works in default will be done early next week if it hasn’t been secured by the owner.

 

“When I visited in relation to this the neighbour reported rat problems. Unfortunately we now charge for rodent treatment and we can’t carry out treatment at properties unless the owner of that property contacts us.

 

“The next door neighbour has also complained about dampness caused by the state of Number 27 in the past but his own property

 

needs some repairs and we advised that these should be done first.”

 

Cllr Naeem Hussain Ashraf, who represents the area on Pendle Council, described both buildings as ‘blights to the area’.

 

He said: “They’ve both been empty for a number of years and are eyesores in the area.

 

“The Marsden pub is boarded up and is becoming quite dangerous, while I’ve seen people squatting in the house on Railway Street.

 

“Something needs to be done about both buildings to tidy them up, or knock them down, as this has been a problem for a while.”

 

The owners of both the buildings are unknown.