Fears over derelict Waterfoot site (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Fears over derelict Waterfoot site

2:13pm Tuesday 9th March 2010 in

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FEARS have been raised that a derelict property in Rossendale may soon become another ‘Valley Centre’.

The future of Waterfoot’s Mytholme House, a former sheltered housing premises, hangs in the balance less than one year after its closure.

Rossendale Lib Dem councillors have accused the owners of the house, Green Vale Homes, of neglecting the property, off Burnley Road East.

The building is currently boarded up and it is feared that it could become victim to anti-social behaviour.

Coun Jim Pilling said: “The home was shut last year and the residents were found alternative accommodation and since then it has been boarded up and seemingly forgotten about.

“Mytholme House is in a very visible location in the centre of Waterfoot and has become an eye-sore and it is also a potential target for vandalism.

"It has all the hallmarks of becoming Waterfoot’s Valley Centre and must not be allowed to remain in this deteriorating condition.”

The Valley Centre shopping centre in Rawtenstall has been mostly empty for several years, with the majority of its shop boarded up.

Coun Pilling has urged the local council to step in to put pressure on Green Vale Homes.

He said: “The council has promised the residents of Waterfoot that this area is high on the regeneration agenda and now is the time for action.”

Green Vale Homes is one of the biggest residential property land-lords in the borough.

Yesterday no one from the organisation was available to comment.