Residents fear for safety as Newgate House roof collapses. Council inaction sparks anger in Sandwich England.
Local council members want action and want the council to act. The house is a Grade II-listed building in Sandwich, a town in England.
Locals are bothered by the building’s poor state, which has been the case for decades. The council voted against taking action, and residents are angry about this decision.
One council member, Dan Friend, is concerned and says the property is a “serious concern.” The property has been a problem for 30 years. The roof has caved in, creating a serious danger, according to Friend. The floors inside have also collapsed, making accessing the house unsafe.
There have been trespassing incidents where people are entering the dangerous property. Friend believes someone could be killed. He wants the council to explore legal options, including buying the property by force. The council vote was tied, 15-15. However, the chairman broke the tie, voting against action.
Friend says fencing was added, but problems remain. People still trespass, risking their lives, and locals are tired of the building’s poor state.
Sandwich is a historic medieval town that attracts tourists from all over. They see the ruined building upon arrival, which ruins the town’s appearance. The owner submitted a plan to fix the roof back in February 2023, but the council hasn’t made a decision yet.
A July 2023 survey reported bad conditions. The inside is too dangerous to fully inspect, and most of the floors have collapsed inside.
Locals have various ideas for the building. One neighbor wants it repaired soon, while another wants to tear it down so they can build new houses. Some worry about taxpayer money and don’t want it spent on the property, as repair costs could exceed one million pounds.
One council member, Michael Nee, cites high repair costs, questioning if they can afford to fix the building as a result. Edward Biggs says scaffolding will cost a lot and notes the government could block a purchase. He asks if one building is worth such expense.
The council is aware of the issue and stated they are watching the property. They have pursued the owner for repairs. In 2016, the council rejected a prior renovation plan because they felt the proposed windows were not suitable and believed the application did not meet the standards.