Councillor calls for local eyesore to be "raised to the ground."

An abandoned nursing home in Mosborough, Sheffield, which has become a hub for anti-social behaviour, is still waiting to be demolished.

The council has approved plans for the site to become a new 25 room unit for domestic violence victims, but delays in the demolition of the current building are postponing them further.

Councillor Tony Downing is pressuring Sheffield City Council to bring forward the agreed demolition so that his Mosborough ward constituents do not have to worry about the increase in anti-social behaviour in their local area.

He said: “Clive Betts (MP) and I have had numerous complaints about young people getting on the building, throwing tiles off the roof and setting fires at the site.

“Because the building is still here, there are problems here.”

Local residents have complained about vandalism, graffiti, drug-taking and fires being lit at the old Knowle Hill nursing home.

In response, Sheffield City Council have tried to reassure the people of Mosborough by committing to installing anti-climb measures and, if necessary, investing in 24-hour security on the site to deter vandals from the now derelict building.

For Councillor Downing, the cost of such measures is needless, and his focus remains on bringing the demolition forward as a means of preventing the concerning behaviour seen at the site.

He said: “While the building remains and we are staffing it with security personnel, that’s costing us money as well.

With very few areas of refuge for women seeking safety Councillor Downing remains steadfast in getting the building demolished as soon as possible.

He said: “I just keep on saying, and I will keep saying that we want to get on with this and get it down as soon as possible to make it safe and secure for everyone's concern.

“To my way of thinking it just wants raising to the ground.”

South Yorkshire Police say they are aware of issues at the site and have received several reports over the year.

They said: “Police activity has been increased and focussed upon the area.

“Four young males were identified as possible suspects for causing a fire in the building but were released without charge due to evidential difficulties.”

Sheffield City Council refused to comment on the delay.

Author: Max Scott