Following its phenomenal success in other areas, our 'Grotbusters' team is now homing in on the town centre's eyesore buildings.
Around 30 tatty buildings are being targeted in Claremont, Trinity Street, Queens Road (town centre end), Robertson Street, Havelock Road and Wellington Place. Our hardline approach to building owners is quite simple: improve the exterior or face prosecution.
Warnings will be issued in the first instance. If these are not heeded then we take enforcement action under the now infamous Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
Council Leader Jeremy Birch said:
"This campaign is going from strength to strength. I'm pleased that our message is clear - we won't tolerate eyesore buildings. We've already demonstrated that our hardline policy gets results, a building a week is now being improved as a direct result of our action.
"The town centre is the latest focus of our attention. It's so important to shoppers, residents and visitors, and businesses in general. We can't allow any buildings to spoil the appearance of this key area.
"I know the whole town is behind us. We've been successful in improving the seafront, Old Town and Bohemia and I'm pleased we're continuing in our campaign to get the whole town looking the way it should."
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This page last updated: 22/04/2004