THE owner of an abandoned building in Winsford which has become an eyesore for residents, has been ordered to take action.

Residents of Chester Road have expressed concern for years about the large house on the corner of the road, number 148.

It was bought by a developer in 2005, who then secured planning permission to demolish the crumbling building and build several houses in its place.

The work the developer was given approval for was started, but it was put on hold when the developer ran out of money and was subsequently sold to a new owner with intentions to finish the work.

The house was then left abandoned among the residential road, to the dismay of residents.

The situation has now caused Cheshire West and Chester Council to step in, with a first in the council’s history.

The local authority has issued a completion order to the owner of the building for the first time, stating they have a year to complete the work or planning permission will be removed.

This has resulted in the owner selling the property and the new owner is currently working to submit a revised planning application and is keen to complete the building work.

Cllr Mike Baynham, council member for Winsford Over and Verdin, has taken credit for the result, saying after hearing concerns from residents, he put pressure on the council to issue the order.

Cllr Baynham said: “Residents who live in Chester Road have had to look at this derelict site for many years while being asked to support a lot of new development in the area.

“It’s been a long journey since I was contacted by a local resident but I was determined to get some positive action from the council, thankfully our local MP supported me in getting a good outcome.”

Cllr Baynham sought the involvement of Eddisbury MP Antoinette Sandbach, to assist in speeding up the process of issuing the completion notice, as it needed to be approved by the Secretary of State.

Antoinette Sandbach MP added: “I am delighted to hear that completion notice has been served on this development as it is important that houses are not just left without being finished as this inevitably will lead to further problems for the community.

“I know this is an issue that Cllr Baynham has worked very hard on and I very much look forward to seeing the properties finally completed.”