I UNDERSTAND that on February 5, 2015, the ownership of the large, derelict house known as Normandie in Bridgeman Road, Penarth was acquired by Philip Day of EWM Property Co.

A little later, he also acquired the adjacent property, known as Ashdene Manor. Some 16 months have elapsed since the first of these two property acquisitions (Mr Day also owns Gardenhurst, on the corner of Holmesdale Place and Park Road, incidentally not to mention Holm House in Marine Parade, Penarth).

It is disappointing, to state the least, that the “man of substance” (in a business sense) has not apparently lifted a proverbial finger to make good the dereliction, which largely occurred under the ownership of Michael Boland, admittedly, but which is now very much his responsibility as the current owner. Mr Boland was encumbered with a section 215 notice, used issued by the Vale Council in the year 2012 requiring him to make good the vacant building by “repairing the roof, windows and brickwork – also to remove waste and demolition material from the land).

He didn’t and was fined £600, with £2,500 costs. What, if anything, does Mr Day intend to do with this very ugly and derelict site.

Michael O'Neill

Railway Terrace

Penarth