A COMPANY which left a former mill in an unmaintained state causing neighbours ‘years of misery’ has been convicted of three offences.

Burnley Council prosecuted owners Fardan Limited in connection with the former Perseverance Mill site in Padiham which has been dubbed ‘the borough’s worst eyesore’.

The Manchester-based firm have been ordered to pay more than £17,000 for failing to clean up the former mill site, which was demolished in 2007.

Residents living close to the site fear children playing on and near to piles of rubble could be seriously injured and the area has become a magnet for flytipping.

The site has been unmaintained and, as a result, the flytipping has remained uncleared, leading to it becoming an eyesore.

Most, but not all of the perimeter of the site, is protected by flimsy fencing which is often pushed over by vandals.

Three separate prosecutions were heard at Burnley Magistrates’ Court over recent weeks.

On each occasion Fardan was convicted in the absence of anyone from the company attending court.

On March 4, the firm was convicted of failing to comply with an abatement notice, fined £660 and ordered to pay £300 costs and £75 compensation.

A week later it was fined £550, and £300 costs for again failing to comply with abatement notice.

On Thursday, for failing to comply with loss of amenity notice, it was fined £15,000, with costs of £350.

Joanne Swift, the council’s head of Streetscene, said: “The council has been trying to work with the people responsible for the Perseverance Mill site for several years.

“The landowner is responsible for keeping the site safe and tidy.

“Unfortunately this hasn’t been the case and people living nearby are understandably angry and frustrated by the situation.

“The council is doing what it can to ensure the site owner meets their responsibility and taking them to court is just part of that.

“The latest fine in particular is a sizeable one and we hope it will encourage those responsible for the land to keep it in a clean and tidy manner.

“We have used different pieces of legislation to address specific issues with the site.

“We have tried to work with the company to resolve the situation but it got to the point where we had no alternative other than to take legal action.

“The council will continue to monitor the site and we, along with the residents of Padiham I’m sure, expect the company to meet its responsibilities.”

Ann Fisk, 63, lives overlooking the site.

She said: “It’s a blight on Padiham. It’s dangerous, filthy and has been an eyesore for years.

“Ideally folk round here would like to see it developed into housing but if that’s not possible it should be at least grassed over.

“It’s good that they’ve been fined, they need to take responsibility.”

Councillor Andrew Tatchell said he had received numerous complaints about the area over the years.

He said recently: “It’s probably the biggest eyesore in the borough.

“I understand there’s a possibility of further action being taken and the firm being fined an amount per day until they comply with the enforcement action.”