WINCHESTER civic chiefs have come under fire after securing a closure order at a disorderly city centre house.

Magistrates in Basingstoke approved the closure order for the property at 16 Water Lane after more than five years of worsening nuisance and anti-social behaviour.

But neighbours are unhappy that it took so long. One said: "The council did not take it seriously until we told them we were going to take them to court. They have been pathetic.

"It is as if all the rights are with the tenants. It is strange how the law protects them. I don't feel they deserve any support. They are a waste of time. They made people's life hell."

An order has been placed on the terraced house banning anyone from entering the property for the next three months. The order names the two residents as the tenant Valerie Smith and habitual occupant James Green.

The court found that in relation to the address people had engaged in disorderly, offensive and criminal behaviour, causing a serious nuisance to neighbours.

The property will be boarded up for three months while the council undertakes proceedings to regain possession of the property, which is mandatory.

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Residents in Water Lane spoke of their relief following the closure of the house, however many did not want to be named due to fear of reprisals.

One resident said: “Thank goodness they’re gone. It was a bit of a nightmare, and it was not just our street affected it was the street behind us.”

Another resident said: “There was a lot of drinking and shouting going on at all hours of the day and night. The police were called several times and that went back to the council.

“Hopefully now we can have some peace and quiet, I would imagine that the council will send somebody in there to fumigate the place.

“We did hear stories that they were going up and down this road ferreting through peoples dustbins looking for cigarette butts."

Cllr Caroline Horrill, portfolio holder for housing, said: “This firm action is a last resort and such powers are used rarely, but it shows clearly that the council will not tolerate anti-social behaviour at its properties.

“The closure option for disorderly property has been in force since the advent of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and this is the first case that the council has brought using these powers.”

The court heard that nine local residents complained and completed ‘impact’ statements while complaints were received from at least five more residents and the local business, No.5 Bridge Street.

City council Housing Services department first received complaints about 16 Water Lane in September 2010.

Initially complaints were about youths congregating outside and causing a general nuisance.

  • The council has continued to receive complaints escalating in severity including:
  • • Alcohol abuse and alleged drug-dealing from the property;
  • • Aggressive behaviour, fighting in the street and foul and abusive language;
  • • Bonfires and the deliberate setting alight of a sofa in the back garden resulting in toxic fumes, including fire brigade attendance to extinguish an out-of-control fire.

Despite numerous visits and warning letters to Miss Smith regarding the conduct of her tenancy, the warnings have been ignored.