Residents demand faster action on demolition of derelict flats in Leonard Avenue, Swanscombe
Neighbours living near a derelict block of flats are calling for it to be demolished as soon as possible as questions continue over the future of the space.
Residents of Leonard Avenue, in Swanscombe, want to see the boarded-up building flattened and grassed over to make a “nice area” for the community - and they don’t want any more flats built.
The building has been earmarked for demolition after an independent structural review commissioned by Dartford council in 2022 recommended it would be more cost-effective to demolish it than to carry out repairs.
Problems included damp in the rafters and joists, movement and cracking in the ceilings and windows and faulty foundations caused by soft clay.
Last year, the authority agreed to rehouse the tenants, who were to be compensated for the upheaval, with a one-off payment of £7,800.
Most of them have now moved but delays continue as one resident has refused.
The proposed demolition - expected to cost £300,000 - was due to be confirmed at a council meeting last week but a decision was postponed as the person remains in the property, with no date available for when they will move.
Neighbours are keen to get the issue dealt with as soon as possible, describing the boarded-up building as “an eyesore”.
Jim and Miranda Richards have lived in the house closest to the flats for 23 years while Jim has lived in Leonard Road for more than 40 years.
Miranda said she is longing for the day when the building is flattened.
She said: “When I walk past it from my car late at night, it is scary. I don’t like walking past a derelict building.”
But she doesn’t want it replaced by high-rise flats.
“There used to be trees there to mask the flats but they have come down, she added.
“I am dreading it being high-rise flats. We will lose our privacy completely and people will be able to see straight down into our garden.”
She said she did not want to see any more trees or bushes cut down.
She said: “We do not want to lose any more grass, trees or bushes. We want to see less development, not more.”
Miranda’s husband Jim added: “We don’t want it to be a concrete jungle. It will look so bleak.”
The couple say they hosted a community event for the Queen’s Jubilee with a marquee on the small area of grass outside their house.
They want the opportunity to hold more communal activities.
“There is a great sense of community here,” Jim said. “It would be nice to have a grassy area with benches where you can enjoy being outside and bring out some deckchairs and picnics like we used to do.”
Miranda said the garages had been renovated except theirs, which is next to the derelict flats.
“We feel like something is going to happen to our garage,” she said.
“Maybe they are going to create parking for new properties there.”
‘We don’t want it to be a concrete jungle. It will look so bleak’
And Miranda is worried this could endanger her cats.
She added: “I specifically wanted to live in this house because it is the furthest away from the road. If they make parking spaces there it will increase the number of cars and my animals won’t be safe anymore.”
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, was also keen the derelict property was not replaced with more flats, after battling constantly over the state of the communal bin area.
“There is always fly-tipping there,” she said. “They can’t control the misuse of the bin area now, so it will only get worse if there are more flats.”
She would like to see a couple of houses or just a grassy area and is keen to see the current building flattened as soon as possible.
“It’s an eyesore,” she said.
Ward councillor for Swanscombe, Cllr Emma Ben Moussa (Lab), said: “The uncertainly for the residents around the area has been quite unfair as they have been left like that for a while now.
“Whatever decision is going to be made I would like it to be made quite quickly so they know what is happening as they have been left in limbo.”
A spokesman for Dartford council said: “The council is currently considering future options for the use of the site whilst we await the final residents to vacate the block.
“Once the block is vacant, a proposal with recommendations will be made to the council’s cabinet.”