Site where bungalow collapsed among Shropshire locations where landowners have been told to clean up 'untidy land'

According to Telford & Wrekin Council, complaints were received last year about allegedly untidy land on sites in Forton Road in Newport, Victoria Avenue in Wellington and Spring Meadow in Sutton Hill.

The Forton Road location has stood vacant since 2013 - when a bungalow that was "in a poor state of disrepair" collapsed.

Fortunately the building was empty when it caved in. Neighbours reported that it had been on the market for around two years at the time of the collapse.

In the years since, several planning applications have been submitted for the vacant site, including proposals for an apartment block that were rejected in 2018.

In 2021, plans to build a pair of bungalows on the site were submitted to the local authority and later approved.

Local planning authorities have the power to serve notices on landowners and occupiers, ordering them to carry out works to improve land which is considered to be negatively affecting the amenity of an area. 

Also known as 'untidy land notices', they can require a wide range of works to be carried out including clearance or repairs, and failure to comply can lead to prosecution and a maximum fine of £1,000.

All three enforcement notices were served on landowners this week.