All images and video courtesy of Marcos Tabasso
FURIOUS residents are demanding old garages in Wokingham are knocked down because they are a “serious health hazard”.
Derelict garages on Tanhouse Lane are said to be full of asbestos and a "paradise" for rats, meaning residents’ lives are being made a “misery.”
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Rachel Bishop-Firth, Liberal Democrats councillor, said: “These buildings were built using asbestos and they’re falling down. Neighbours are very concerned about the effect on themselves and their children.
“They are reporting problems with asthma and chest infections which they did not suffer from before moving into the road. There are very small children living within metres of the garages.
“Residents are also reporting a vermin problem, which the owner has not dealt with, and the neglected site has been attracting fly-tipping. The rats, rubbish and health concerns are making residents' lives a misery”.
Disgruntled residents and councillors have teamed up to create a petition calling for the demolition of the 17 garages, located between 8-9 Tanhouse Lane.
It will be presented by Lib Dem Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey at this month’s Wokingham Borough Council full meeting.
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The council is being asked to issue a court order to enforce demolition of the garages by residents, who claim house prices in the neighbourhood are falling, weeds have reached "monstrous proportions" and that the site has become a "dumping ground" for people who dump their unwanted items.
A planning application for six new homes to replace the derelict buildings was validated by the authority’s planning bosses in June.
However, Cllr Bishop-Firth claims this will just create more problems.
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She added: “Tanhouse Lane already has a severe parking problem, largely due to these garages being unavailable.
“Waste collectors and the emergency services regularly have problems getting down the road.
“The garages were built to provide adequate parking for the street, and any additional housing will only exacerbate the problem.''
“I called Berkshire Developments, who told me that they are acting for the owner. I have asked them to demolish the garages to make the area safe for residents.
“I am now waiting for an answer from them. Residents tell me that they would happily rent or buy the spaces for parking from the landowner”.
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The petition, which has been signed by all residents living on Tanhouse Lane and more from the surrounding area, will be presented to Wokingham Borough Council on Thursday, July 18.
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