TENANTS at what was meant to be one of Blackburn’s most promising housing developments have spoken out about ‘horrible’ potentially dangerous conditions.

People living at Blackburn’s Newspaper House apartment block have said that for months they have been subject to constant break-ins, subject to dirty and dangerous conditions including a rat-infested car park, and that despite their complaints not enough in their view has been done by block managers HLM.

According to one tenant, the back fire door has been broken for seven months, allowing drug users to enter the building, leaving rubbish behind, using the basement as a toilet, and causing possible fire hazards.

Rubbish: At various times, including before Christmas, rubbish has been allowed to pile up outside the building

Rubbish: At various times, including before Christmas, rubbish has been allowed to pile up outside the building

He said: “There’s been a security breach on the back fire exit door for the last seven months.

“We’ve made constant reports of this to get it fixed and to no avail, the door wasn’t fixed.

“We’ve had constant break-ins and the homeless are living down in the basement.

“Under the staircase is in horrible condition, with them doing drugs and using it as toilet.”

“For months I have smelled smoke and in some cases thought the building was on fire, I was worried the building could go up in flames.”

Unhygenic: Residents have complained but say little has been done

Unhygenic: Residents have complained but say little has been done

He added: “They break in every night.”

The conditions are a far cry from the high hopes that developers and council officials once had for the property.

When the building, which once housed the Lancashire Telegraph offices, was redeveloped for housing in 2018 it was intended to be a sought-after town centre living space for professionals and had been intended to change people’s perceptions of Blackburn town centre.

Even now, tenants still pay £500 per month despite the persistent problems.

A disabled resident, who has lived in Newspaper House for two years, said: “When we first moved in I thought it was perfect but I’ve had nothing but trouble.”

She added: “We’ve got trespassers camped out in the basement littering and smoking weed.

“The company have sent out emails saying anyone smoking weed will be evicted but its not the tenants it’s the people breaking in.”

Unsafe: The building has suffered constant break-ins

Unsafe: The building has suffered constant break-ins

The tenant, who uses a mobility scooter, says she has also had problems with access.

She said: “There are four steps and if I’m on my own I have to lift my walker up.

“There’s been times when the lift has been broken I’ve been trapped either outside or inside my flat.

“Around Christmas they took our recycling bins away and people were just piling their rubbish up outside.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council deputy leader Phil Riley said that, though the authority has provided guidance to the company on how to resolve the issue, landlords must behave more responsibly.

A spokesperson for tenancy management firm Urpad said: “The homelessness and accumulation of rubbish have been an ongoing concern and despite our best efforts continue to be an issue. We are in discussions with the estate management company and the landlord to further improve the measures in place.”