Eyesore house torched 11 years ago to be demolished

Simon Taylor lived at 289 Anlaby Road, Hull, until he and his family were driven out by burglars – they suffered 15 break-ins and once had their front door stolen while they were in the property.

The four-storey house was destroyed in an arson attack 11 years ago and has been an eyesore and a magnet for vandals ever since, who have virtually stripped the property.

But today Hull Council will begin preparing the site for demolition, and will also knock down number 291 next door, which the council owns.

Mr Taylor said: “I’m ecstatic. We lived there but we were chased out by burglars.

“But I’m delighted the site we’ve had all these years is being demolished because you are liable for everything that goes in the garden.

“The house was destroyed by arson over 11 years ago and in that time there has been constant problems with needles, fly-tipping, break-ins and general misbehaviour which has also significantly affected the neighbours.”

Demolition work had been scheduled to start in December 2010 but was delayed by Government funding cuts.

Laura Carr, the council’s head of service for physical regeneration, said: “After many years of negotiations we are happy that we can now proceed with the demolition of 289 and 291 in Anlaby Road which have been an eyesore since being damaged by fire 11 years ago.”