RESIDENTS have welcomed the news that a derelict house which has been empty for years and left to rot could be taken into council ownership.

The property on Redlands Road in Penarth is now subject to a Vale of Glamorgan Council investigation over taking occupancy of the eyesore.

Neighbours say the house has been uninhabited for over a decade and there have been reports it is infested by rats and prone to regular break ins.

It still currently has an owner but the property is now classified as a ‘high risk’ under the Vale’s Empty Homes Strategy.

A spokesman for the Vale council called it a “very long running issue” and said the local authority had been successful in two legal prosecutions against the owner - who was not named.

He added: “The council has received several complaints in relation to the overall condition and appearance of this long-term empty property.

“The property has been assessed as ‘high risk’ under the Council’s Empty Homes Strategy, which means that we are proactively taking steps to bring it back into beneficial use.

“To date, we have successfully prosecuted the owner on more than one occasion and are currently exploring options for securing occupation of the property.

The local authority successfully prosecuted the property’s owner in 2014 for a failure to return information requested, and did so again in 2015 for failure to prevent damage by pests.

In both instances the property’s owner received a fine and costs were awarded to the local authority. A third legal notice was served in November 2015, which remains ongoing.

Residents have previously voiced their dismay at the situation saying it has had a detrimental effect on them.

Joy Tussler has lived just down the road from the house since 1984. She said: “It is a real eyesore and has fallen apart. It has caused dry damp in the walls of some of the neighbouring properties.

“This is a really close community with a real neighbourly spirit so it’s such a shame that this has happened here.”

Another woman, who did not wish to be named but who has lived in the street for 28 years, described it as a “real mess”, adding: “I can’t understand how this has been allowed to go on for so long.

“When there are so many people out there struggling to get a house and you see this one in that condition it is really sad.”

They added that the situation has had a real effect on the area in terms of house prices – typically valued at £250,000 – with people worrying that it may affect the people’s ability to sell their homes.

Councillor Marc Wilson is the ward member of Penarth Town Council for Stanwell ward and said that something must be done about it.

He said: “I recognise there is a legal process underway and this must be allowed to take its course.

“I totally understand the frustration of the residents and will continue to lobby on this issue.

“I think something has got to change and it’s disgraceful that a house in such a lovely area has been left in this state.”