Derelict homes cause misery

MUM Olfunke Babalola says her life is blighted by the properties

A MOTHER says that a derelict block of houses has been blighting her life for three years.

Olfunke Babalola’s home in Deanshut Road, Fitton Hill, backs on to boarded-up homes in Hill Farm Close.

She is forced to keep her curtains closed because of the view and says the properties are a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

The Huddersfield University student lives with her two children Feyi (11) and Ini (10) and claims Villages Housing Association has failed to act.

She explained: “The state of the houses is encouraging anti-social behaviour — children are throwing stones. It is very depressing and I have been living like this for three years.

“It is terrible and we can’t live live like this.

“I agree that I live in a deprived area but I don’t want to be depressed.”

Sarah Bevan, initiatives director for Villages Housing Association, said five of the six properties in the block were boarded up and secure while one belonged to an owner occupier.

Redevelopment is planned and she added: “We are trying our best to negotiate with the one owner occupier.

We have demolished a lot of the properties round there and as soon as we can get a resolution, we will demolish the remaining properties.”